liberal

Pluralliberals, Liberals

1. 1
   freedom politicsadjective

   Willing to accept political and social change that gives people more freedom.

   In college she grew more liberal and wanted to change unfair laws.

   Many young voters support liberal ideas such as equal rights for all.

   UsageUse on before the topic: liberal on immigration.

   Similarprogressive, reformist

   Oppositeconservative, reactionary

   Note
2. 2
   nounCanadianPhilippineUScountable

   A person with left-wing political views, especially about social issues and the environment.

   My uncle is a liberal who cares a lot about climate change.

   Liberals and conservatives argued about the new gun law on TV.

   UsageIt is usually the opposite of conservative. For readers in other countries, left-wing is clearer.

   Similarprogressive, leftist, left-winger

   Oppositeconservative, right-winger

   Note
3. 3
   broad-mindedadjective

   Willing to accept new ideas and different ways of doing things, and not strict.

   Our school has a liberal dress code, so you can wear almost anything.

   Her aunt is liberal about music and lets the kids play anything they like.

   UsageSay liberal about something: liberal about music.

   Similartolerant, permissive, open-minded, broad-minded, progressive

   Oppositestrict, conservative, narrow-minded, intolerant

   Note
4. 4
   general studyadjective

   Describes study that gives broad general knowledge, not training for a particular job.

   She went to a small liberal arts college in Ohio.

   He chose a liberal education over a trade school.

   UsageYou see it mostly in liberal arts and a liberal education.

   Note
5. 5
   political partyadjective · Liberal

   Having to do with the Liberal Party, its members, or its ideas.

   The Liberal candidate knocked on every door on our street.

   The Liberal plan for the new hospital was shown on the news.

   UsageWrite it with a capital L: the Liberal plan.

   Note
6. 6
   noun · Liberalcountable

   Someone who belongs to or supports a Liberal Party, for example in Canada, in Australia, or in Britain in the past.

   My grandfather was a Liberal and went to every party meeting in our town.

   The Liberals and their rivals argued about taxes all night.

   UsageUse a capital L. The Liberals can mean the whole party.

   Note
7. 7
   large amountadjective

   Large in amount, more than just enough.

   Put a liberal amount of sunscreen on before you go to the beach.

   She spread a liberal layer of butter on her toast.

   UsageUsually with words like amount or layer: a liberal amount of sunscreen.

   Similargenerous, ample, plentiful, copious, abundant

   Oppositesparing, scant, skimpy

   Note
8. 8
   freedom supporternouncountable

   A person who believes strongly in each person's freedom.

   As a liberal, she believes people should be free to speak their minds.

   The town's liberals defended the protesters' right to march.

   Note
9. 9
   giving freelyadjective

   Happy to give things freely, such as money, praise, or freedom.

   Our coach is liberal with praise when we play well.

   The boss was liberal with days off during the holidays.

   UsageUse with before the thing given: liberal with praise.

   Similargenerous, lavish, free, unsparing

   Oppositestingy, mean, miserly, ungenerous

   Note

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