freedom

The ability or right to do what you want without unnecessary rules or limits.

• I enjoy the freedom to work at home.
• Freedom of speech allows people to criticize the government.
• The new manager gave us more creative freedom.

How to use it: freedom to do something (Students have the freedom to choose their own topics.); freedom of something (The law protects freedom of expression.); freedom from something (She wanted freedom from constant supervision.)

Similar words: liberty

Opposites: restriction

Common phrases: freedom of speech, creative freedom, freedom to choose

The state of living freely, without being kept in prison or owned by someone.

• The prisoners dreamed of freedom.
• She regained her freedom after ten years in prison.
• They escaped slavery and built new lives in freedom.

Similar words: liberty

Opposites: captivity, slavery

Common phrases: regain freedom, fight for freedom, win freedom

The right to enter, use, or enjoy a place without restrictions.

• Guests had the freedom of the whole estate.
• The council awarded her the freedom of the city.
• He offered us the freedom of his garden.

How to use it: the freedom of a place (The visiting poet was given the freedom of the house.)

Similar words: access

Common phrases: freedom of something, grant someone freedom, freedom of access

American, used jokingly in names for things associated with the United States.

• He jokingly calls inches and feet freedom units.
• The diner renamed its chips freedom fries.
• Can you give that distance in freedom units?

Similar words: American

Common phrases: freedom fries, freedom units