liberal

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
  2. noun a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
  3. adjective showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

Etymology

The adjective is from Old French liberal, from Latin līberālis (“befitting a freeman”), from līber (“free”); it is attested since the 14th century. The noun is first attested in the 1800s.

In classic literature

Synonyms

liberalist, progressive

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