Wiktionary

freely

English edit

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) enPR: frē'lē, IPA(key): /ˈfɹiːli/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈfɹili/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -iːli

Etymology 1 edit

From Middle English frely, freelich, from Old English frēolīc (“free, freeborn, glorious, stately, magnificent, noble, beautiful, charming”), equivalent to free +‎ -ly. Compare Middle Low German vrilik, vrigelik (“free”), Middle High German vrīlich (“free”).

Alternative forms edit

Adjective edit

freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)

  1. Free; frank.
  2. Generous; noble; excellent; beautiful; lovely.
Derived terms edit

Etymology 2 edit

From Middle English frely, freliche, from Old English frēolīċe (“freely, readily, as a festival”), equivalent to free +‎ -ly. Compare Dutch vrijelijk (“freely”), German freilich (“certainly, of course”).

Adverb edit

freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)

  1. In a free manner.
    Wine was flowing freely.
  2. Without interference or restriction.
    talk freely
    • 1961 February, ""Balmore"", “Driving and firing modern French steam locomotives - Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 110:
      I found that the Chapelon steamed almost too freely, because on a strange locomotive and road one usually tends to overfire a little through a natural lack of confidence.
  3. Of one's own free will.
    I will freely help you.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
See also edit

References edit

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