liberal

liberal is on the Academic Word List.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: lĭ'brəl, IPA ^(key): /ˈlɪbrəl/
• (US) enPR: lĭ'bərəl, IPA ^(key): /ˈlɪbərəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive liberal

Comparative more liberal

Superlative most liberal

1. If something is liberal, it allows for change, flexibility, and free thought.
   • Synonym: left wing
   • Antonym: conservative

   The Church should take a more liberal view of sex.

   Japanese schools are quite different from what you see in our more liberal education system.

   Any attempt to put a liberal democracy in Iraq will fail.

2. If something is liberal, it has few limits.
   • Antonyms: restrained and limited

   He was quite liberal with his kindness.

Related words

• liberally
• liberalize/liberalise
• illiberal

Noun

Singular liberal

Plural liberals

1. (countable) A liberal is a person who believes in liberal ideas.
   • Antonym: conservative