liberal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
    progressive; liberalist.
  2. noun a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
  3. adjective satellite showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
    broad; large-minded; tolerant.
    • a broad political stance
    • generous and broad sympathies
    • a liberal newspaper
    • tolerant of his opponent's opinions
  4. adjective satellite having political or social views favoring reform and progress
  5. adjective tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
  6. adjective satellite given or giving freely
    giving; big; openhanded; bountiful; freehanded; bighearted; bounteous; handsome.
    • was a big tipper
    • the bounteous goodness of God
    • bountiful compliments
    • a freehanded host
    • a handsome allowance
    • Saturday's child is loving and giving
    • a liberal backer of the arts
    • a munificent gift
    • her fond and openhanded grandfather
  7. adjective satellite not literal
    loose; free.
    • a loose interpretation of what she had been told
    • a free translation of the poem

WordNet

Lib"er*al adjective
Etymology
F. libéral, L. liberalis, from liber free; perh. akin to libet, lubet,it pleases, E. lief. Cf. Deliver.
Definitions
  1. 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. " Liberal education." Macaulay. " A liberal tongue." Shak.
  2. Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. " Liberal of praise." Bacon.
    Infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free as infinite. Milton.
  3. 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.
    His wealth doth warrant a liberal dower. Shak.
  4. 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.
  5. Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
  6. Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious. " Most like a liberal villain." Shak.
  7. 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.
    I confess I see nothing liberal in this " order of thoughts," as Hobbes elsewhere expresses it. Hazlitt.
    ✍ Liberal has of, sometimes with, before the thing bestowed, in before a word signifying action, and to before a person or object on which anything is bestowed; as, to be liberal of praise or censure; liberal with money; liberal in giving; liberal to the poor. Syn. -- Generous; bountiful; munificent; beneficent; ample; large; profuse; free. -- Liberal, Generous. Liberal is freeborn, and generous is highborn. The former is opposed to the ordinary feelings of a servile state, and implies largeness of spirit in giving, judging, acting, etc. The latter expresses that nobleness of soul which is peculiarly appropriate to those of high rank, -- a spirit that goes out of self, and finds its enjoyment in consulting the feelings and happiness of others. Generosity is measured by the extent of the sacrifices it makes; liberality, by the warmth of feeling which it manifests.
Lib"er*al noun
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913