Liberal Definition

lĭbər-əl, lĭbrəl

liberals

adjective

Suitable for a freeman; not restricted.

Webster's New World

Favoring reform, open to new ideas, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; not bound by traditional thinking; broad-minded.

American Heritage

Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.

American Heritage

Giving freely; generous.

Webster's New World

Large or plentiful; ample; abundant.

A liberal reward.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

noun

liberals

A person who is liberal or who favors liberalism.

Webster's New World

A member of a Liberal political party.

Webster's New World

One with liberal views, supporting individual liberty (see Wikipedia's article on Liberalism).

Wiktionary

(UK) One who favors individual voting rights, human and civil rights, individual gun rights, and laissez-faire markets (also called "classical liberal"; compare libertarian).

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

pronoun

(politics) A member or supporter of a Liberal Party.

Wiktionary

(UK, dated) A Whig.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Liberal

Noun

Singular:

liberal

Plural:

liberalists, liberals

Origin of Liberal

The adjective is from Old French liberal, from Latin liberalis (“befitting a freeman"), from liber (“free"); it is attested since the 14th century. The noun is first attested in the 1800s.

From Wiktionary
Middle English generous from Old French from Latin līberālis from līber free leudh- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition