free

I UK [friː] / US [frɪ] adjective
Word forms "free":
adjective free comparative freer superlative freest
***

1) something that is free does not cost anything

All talks start at 2.30 pm and admission is free.

There is plenty of free parking.

free to/for:

The swimming pool is free to hotel guests.

free gift:

You can claim your free gift with your first order.

2) not a prisoner or a slave

He will soon be a free man again.

set someone/something free:

He opened the cage and set the eagle free.

3) not held, tied, or fixed to somewhere

Hand me the free end of the rope.

With his free hand he carefully unfastened his belt.

get free:

Sally struggled to get free from the branches.

4)

a) not limited or controlled by rules

Officials want free access to all suspect nuclear sites.

People should have a free choice of lawyers.

free to do something:

You are free to come and go as you please.

b) allowed to decide for yourself what you do, say, or think, especially without being controlled by someone in authority

a free people

a free country/society:

We like to believe we live in a free society.

a free election:

the first free elections in Germany since 1946

5) not containing or involving something unpleasant

free from/of:

We want to give all children a world free from violence.

It was a relaxing atmosphere, free of tension.

Within minutes, she was absolutely free of pain.

6)

a) available to see someone, do something, or go somewhere

I'm busy at the moment, but I'll be free this afternoon.

free for:

Are you free for lunch?

b) available for someone to use

Is this seat free?

There are no free fitting rooms at the moment.

7) free time is time when you do not have any work to do, so that you can do whatever you want

Do you have any free time this weekend?

I'll keep a day free next week for our meeting.

8)

a) if you are free with your opinions or comments, you say so much that it annoys other people

b) if you are free with something, especially money, you spend or give a lot of it

He's never been particularly free with his cash.

9) science not combined with another substance, or not attached to anything else

free oxygen

•

(there's no such thing as) a free lunch — mainly spoken used for saying that even if something seems to not cost anything, there is usually a hidden cost or obligation

- free and clear

- free and easy

- make free with something

See:

feel I

II UK [friː] / US [frɪ] verb [transitive]
Word forms "free":
present tense I/you/we/they free he/she/it frees present participle freeing past tense freed past participle freed
**

1) to let someone leave a prison or a place where they have been forced to stay

Amnesty International works to free political prisoners.

The hostages were freed unharmed.

2) to help someone to get out of a place

Rescuers managed to free the trapped climbers.

free someone/something from something:

They helped free the injured driver from the wreckage.

3) to remove something unpleasant that affects someone or limits their behaviour

free someone/something from something:

Steps will be taken to free the media from government control.

free someone/something of something:

He has been freed of direct responsibility for his staff.

4) free or free up to make someone or something available to be used for something else

By scrapping this scheme, the government has freed vital resources.

free someone/something for something:

We need to free more police officers for street duties.

free someone/something to do something:

A classroom assistant frees teachers to concentrate on teaching.

Phrasal verbs:

- free up

III UK [friː] / US [frɪ] adverb
Word forms "free":
comparative freer superlative freest

1) without paying any money

We got in free.

for free:

You can't get anything for free in this world.

free of charge:

Children can stay free of charge.

2) out of a fixed position, or out of a place where you are being kept

I wriggled one hand free from his grasp.

break free:

The prisoner suddenly broke free and ran towards the car.

3) without being controlled or stopped

dogs running free in the streets

go/walk free (= not be put in prison):

She is appalled that her kidnappers have walked free.