liberal (lîb´er-el, lîb´rel) adjective
Abbr. lib.
1.a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry. b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded. c. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism. d. Liberal
Abbr. Lib. 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.
noun
1.A person with liberal ideas or opinions.
2. LiberalAbbr. Lib. A member of a Liberal political party.
[Middle English, generous, from Old French, from Latin lìberâlis, from lìber, free.]
- lib´erally adverb
- lib´eralness noun
Synonyms: liberal, bounteous, bountiful, freehanded, generous, handsome, munificent, openhanded. The central meaning shared by these adjectives is "willing or marked by a willingness to give unstintingly": a liberal backer of the arts; a bounteous feast; bountiful compliments; a freehanded host; a generous donation; a handsome offer; a munificent gift; a fond and openhanded grandfather. See also synonyms at broad-minded.
Antonyms: stingy.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.
