free
gb/fɹˈi/ us/fɹˈi/
A1
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Not requiring payment
Something you can have or use without paying money.
Usage pattern:
[something] is free
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'free' meaning 'no cost' with 'free' meaning 'not restricted'. Context is important.
Synonyms
complimentary (Often used in formal or promotional contexts to mean free of charge.)
Antonyms
paid (Requires payment rather than being given without cost.)
Collocations
free samples
|free trial
|free entry
|free gift
Themes
daily life
|commerce
|daily_life
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The coffee at the event was free.
- You can download the app for free.
- They gave us free tickets to the show.
Learner examples
- The water is free.
- We got free food.
- He gave me a free pen.
adjective
A2
property
2
Not under control or limitation
Able to act, move, or live without limits or control.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is free to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'free' instead of more specific words like 'available' when talking about time.
Synonyms
unrestricted (Emphasizes absence of limits or rules.)
Antonyms
restricted (Limited or controlled in movement, action, or rights.)
Collocations
free country
|free to choose
|free speech
Themes
freedom
|law
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- Citizens are free to speak their minds.
- He is finally free after years in prison.
- You are free to leave whenever you want.
Learner examples
- I am free to go.
- She is free now.
- You are free to choose.
adjective
A1
state
3
Available to do something
Having time or being not busy; ready to do something.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is free [time/day]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'free' meaning 'available' with 'free' meaning 'no cost'. Context helps clarify.
Synonyms
available (A more formal term for being not busy or ready.)
Antonyms
busy (Occupied with work or other activities.)
Collocations
free time
|free afternoon
|free seat
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Are you free this weekend?
- The doctor is free at 3 p.m.
- Is this seat free?
Learner examples
- I am free today.
- She is free now.
- The chair is free.
Verb
B1
action
4
Release from restriction or captivity
To let someone or something go; to remove control or limits from them.
Usage pattern:
to free [someone/something] from [something]
Synonyms
liberate (More formal and often used in political or military contexts.)
Antonyms
imprison (To put someone into confinement.)
Collocations
free a prisoner
|free the hostages
|free up space
Themes
freedom
|core_vocabulary
|law
Examples
- They worked to free the trapped miners.
- The new policy will free businesses from strict regulations.
- She freed the bird from its cage.
Learner examples
- He freed the dog.
- They freed the man from jail.
- She freed the bird.
adverb
A2
relation
5
Without paying money
Without paying money for something.
Synonyms
gratis (Formal term for 'without payment'.)
Antonyms
for a fee (Requires payment instead of being without cost.)
Collocations
work for free
|given away free
Themes
commerce
|daily_life
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Children under five eat free.
- He offered to do the job free.
- The drinks were given away free.
Learner examples
- I got it free.
- She works free.
- They eat free.
Grammar
Dictionary form
free
IPA
GB/fɹˈi/
US/fɹˈi/
Syllables & stress
free (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (free)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: free
- Comparative: freeer
- Superlative: freeest
Verb
- Base: free
- 3rd Person Singular: frees
- Present Participle: freeing
- Past: freed
- Past Participle: freed
Word family
Forms
frees
verb
freeing
verb
freed
verb
freeer
adjective
freeest
adjective
Related words
freelance
adjective B1
freelancer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unfree
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular comparative: freeer Adjective
- Irregular superlative: freeest Adjective
Expressions
break free
1/bɹˈeɪk fɹˈi/
fixed phrase
Escape by force or effort
To get away from someone or something holding you by using effort or force.
Examples
- She managed to break free from his grip.
- The country hopes to break free from poverty.
feel free (to)
1/fˈil fɹˈi tə/
fixed phrase
Be encouraged to act without hesitation
Used to tell someone they can do something if they want and should not worry about it.
Examples
- Feel free to ask questions anytime.
- Please feel free to use my phone.
for free
1/fɚ fɹˈi/
fixed phrase
Without paying money
Without having to pay any money.
Examples
- We got these tickets for free.
- She fixed my phone for free.
set free
1/sˈɛt fɹˈi/
fixed phrase
Release from captivity or restraint
To allow someone or something to go free after keeping them under control.
Examples
- The rescue team set the hostages free.
- The bird was set free after treatment.
free of charge
1/fɹˈi əv t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Provided without cost (formal)
Provided without having to pay money; formal way of saying 'free'.
Examples
- Delivery is free of charge within the city.
- The delivery service is free of charge for orders over $50.
- The service is provided free of charge.
- This service is provided free of charge.
- Children under 5 can enter the zoo free of charge.
- Parking here is free of charge.