Liberally Definition & Meaning

American

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms liberally American [lib-er-uh-lee, lib-ruh-lee] / ˈlɪb ər ə li, ˈlɪb rə li /

adverb

1. in a way that is favorable to progress or reform, or that reflects the views of a political party advocating this.

   He voted a lot more liberally than he campaigned, which may have had something to do with his reelection loss.

2. in a way that is not bound by traditional or conventional ideas or values, especially prejudice or bigotry.

   Our goal is to be an intentionally open, intellectual, and liberally inclusive community.

3. in large amounts; generously; abundantly.

   Sprinkle liberally with paprika, sea salt, and chili oil.

4. in a way that is not strict, literal, or rigorous.

   This charter shall be liberally and broadly construed in favor of allowing the city to exercise its power.

   The story was liberally adapted from a popular Chinese folk tale.

5. in the liberal arts.

   What does it mean to be liberally educated in 21st-century America?

Other Word Forms

• antiliberally adverb
• half-liberally adverb
• nonliberally adverb
• overliberally adverb
• preliberally adverb
• pseudoliberally adverb
• quasi-liberally adverb
• semiliberally adverb
• unliberally adverb

Etymology

Origin of liberally

liberal ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Leon Battista Alberti wrote a book on the institution of the family—rendered bittersweet by his own illegitimate identity; Mr. Luzzi quotes Alberti liberally.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company aggressively supported angry customers during the outage, and liberally handed out freebies to retain them.

From Barron's

It’s an interesting point and one he repeats liberally.

From The Wall Street Journal

The point is made, not for the first time, that for women, slaves and natives, the hope that liberty would be more liberally applied was not fulfilled.

From Los Angeles Times

Travel sites still liberally use the word "untouched" to describe the island as they offer reasons to venture beyond Bali.

From BBC

Related Words

• abundantly
• adequately
• extensively
• generously
• lavishly
• properly
• richly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.