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Free Meaning: Examples, Synonyms & Usage (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：at no cost (free)
free
/friː/
adj.
Not costing any money; given without payment.
at no cost
➕
/æt noʊ kɔːst/
adj.
Not requiring any payment; given without charge.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'freo' meaning 'not in bondage, acting of one's own will'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a tree (free) growing without any ropes tying it down, symbolizing no cost and no control.
📖 Example
The cafe was giving out free cake samples to celebrate its opening.
The cafe was giving out free cake samples to celebrate its opening.
🔗 Collocations
free of charge – Without any payment required
for free – At no cost
free sample – A small portion of a product given away to promote it
🔄 Synonyms
complimentary (adj.) – Given free of charge, especially as a courtesy
gratis (adj.) – Free, costing nothing
costless (adj.) – Having no cost
🚫 Antonyms
📖 Cultural Story
In English, 'free' often appears in marketing slogans like 'free sample' to attract customers, originating from the medieval practice of offering goods to build goodwill.
Meaning 2：not controlled (free)
free
/friː/
adj.
Not controlled by others, able to do what you want.
not controlled
➕
/nɒt kənˈtrəʊld/
adj.
Not under the control or power of another; able to act or choose as one wishes.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In this course, students are free to choose any topic they are passionate about for their final project.
In this course, students are free to choose any topic they are passionate about for their final project.
🔗 Collocations
free will – The power of acting without the constraint of fate or necessity
free to choose – Having the liberty to make a selection
set free – Release from captivity or control
🔄 Synonyms
independent (adj.) – Not subject to control by others
liberated (adj.) – Set free, especially from social or political constraints
unrestricted (adj.) – Not limited or controlled
🚫 Antonyms
controlled (adj.) – Under the power or influence of someone or something
restricted (adj.) – Limited in scope or freedom
captive (adj.) – Imprisoned or confined
Meaning 3：not busy (free)
free
/friː/
adj.
Not busy; having time available.
not busy
➕
/nɒt ˈbɪzi/
adj.
Having no prior commitments or obligations; available for other activities.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Are you free this Friday evening? We could go watch the new movie.
Are you free this Friday evening? We could go watch the new movie.
🔗 Collocations
free time – Time when one is not working or occupied
free moment – A brief period with no obligations
free slot – An available time period in a schedule
🔄 Synonyms
available (adj.) – Not occupied; free to do something
unoccupied (adj.) – Not engaged in work or other activity
idle (adj.) – Not active or in use; free
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
freely (adv.) – In a free manner; without time constraints
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