Liberal

Definition:

  • (a.) Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or studies.
  • (a.) Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver.
  • (a.) Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient; abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a liberal discharge of matter or of water.
  • (a.) Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language.
  • (a.) Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
  • (a.) Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious.
  • (a.) Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the constitution or administration of government; having tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party.
  • (n.) One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer; in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig.

Compare liberal with other words:

liberal vs. libral

liberal vs. literal

liberal vs. overfree

liberal vs. overliberal

liberal vs. tolerant

democrat vs. liberal

independent vs. liberal

lenient vs. liberal

liberal vs. tolerance

liberal vs. vigor

labor vs. liberal

abstract vs. liberal

illiterate vs. liberal

free vs. liberal

liberal vs. socialism

attached vs. liberal

liberal vs. ndper

liberal vs. whiggish

liberal vs. liberality

liberal vs. liberalization

liberal vs. liberally

lib vs. liberal

liberal vs. whig

grit vs. liberal

liberal vs. liberalize

liberal vs. libertine

frolic vs. liberal

catholic vs. liberal

figurative vs. liberal

liberal vs. munificent

liberal vs. orthodox

ample vs. liberal

liberal vs. liberty

liberal vs. liberate

liberal vs. liberation