- (a.) Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient; abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a liberal discharge of matter or of water.
- (a.) Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
- (n.) One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer; in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig.
- (a.) Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver.
- (a.) Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious.
- (a.) Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the constitution or administration of government; having tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party.
- (a.) Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or studies.
- (a.) Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a classic or a liberal construction of law or of language.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). Liberal. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/liberal/definitions/2027688 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "Liberal" http://smartdefine.org/liberal/definitions/2027688 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, Liberal, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/liberal/definitions/2027688>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "Liberal" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/liberal/definitions/2027688> |