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adj. 1. a. Favoring reform, open to new ideas, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; not bound by traditional thinking; broad-minded. See Synonyms at broad-minded. b. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism. c. Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. 2. a. Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor. b. Generous in amount; ample: a liberal serving of potatoes. 3. Not strict or literal; loose or approximate: a liberal translation. 4. Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education. 5. a. Archaic Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman. b. Obsolete Morally unrestrained; licentious. n. 1. A person with liberal ideas or opinions. 2. Liberal A member of a Liberal political party. [Middle English, generous, from Old French, from Latin līberālis, from līber, free; see leudh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] liber·al·ly adv. liber·al·ness n. Synonyms: liberal, freehanded, generous, munificent, openhanded These adjectives mean willing or marked by a willingness to give unstintingly: a liberal backer of the arts; a freehanded host; a generous donation; a munificent gift; fond and openhanded grandparents. Antonym: stingy |
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