liberal meaning and definition

LIBERAL noun

Definition of liberal (noun)

1. a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
   • synonyms: liberalist, progressive
   • antonym: conservative
2. a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets

LIBERAL adjective

Definition of liberal (adjective)

1. showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
   • "a broad political stance"; "generous and broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant of his opponent's opinions"
   • synonyms: broad, large-minded, tolerant
2. having political or social views favoring reform and progress
3. tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
   • antonym: conservative
4. given or giving freely
   • "was a big tipper"; "the bounteous goodness of God"; "bountiful compliments"; "a freehanded host"; "a handsome allowance"; "Saturday's child is loving and giving"; "a liberal backer of the arts"; "a munificent gift"; "her fond and openhanded grandfather"
   • synonyms: big, bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, freehanded, giving, handsome, openhanded
5. not literal
   • "a loose interpretation of what she had been told"; "a free translation of the poem"
   • synonyms: free, loose