liberal

Liberal is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: lĭ'brəl, IPA ^(key): /ˈlɪbɹəl/
• (US) enPR: lĭ'bərəl, IPA ^(key): /ˈlɪbəɹəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive liberal

Comparative more liberal

Superlative most liberal

1. If something is liberal, it allows for change, flexibility, and free thought.

   The Church should take a more liberal view of sex.

   Japanese schools are quite different from what you see in our more liberal education system.

   Any attempt to put a liberal democracy in Iraq will fail.

2. in large amounts

   He was quite liberal with his kindness.

Synonyms

• left wing

Antonyms

• conservative

Noun

Singular liberal

Plural liberals

1. A liberal is a person who believes in liberal ideas.

Antonyms

• conservative