For free Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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for free

[fɔːr friː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

without payment

In a manner that does not require payment or cost.

Synonyms

at no cost, complimentary, for nothing, gratis.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
for free	Informal settings when indicating that something does not cost any money. You can download the app for free. They gave us these tickets for free.
gratis	Fairly formal or old-fashioned. Used often in legal or historical contexts to mean free of charge. The museum offers admission gratis on Sundays. She received medical care gratis.
complimentary	Professional or business-related contexts, often to describe something offered by a company or business as a courtesy or extra benefit. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast with your stay. We offer complimentary Wi-Fi to all our guests.
at no cost	More formal or written context to specify that something is available without any payment. The company provides training sessions at no cost. You can access the service at no cost.
for nothing	This can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying that one might have expected a cost or effort was wasted. It can be informal. I did all that work for nothing. He gave me his old phone for nothing.

Examples of usage

You can download the software for free.
The event is open to the public for free.
She offered her services for free to help the community.
The museum is free for children under 12 years old.
He gave away the books for free.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

without charge

Not costing anything, provided without payment.

Synonyms

complimentary, costless, gratis, no-cost.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
complimentary	Often used in formal settings like hotels, restaurants, or events to suggest a service or item is provided without charge as a courtesy or gesture of good will. Guests will receive a complimentary breakfast each morning. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with your meal.
no-cost	Used in marketing or informational settings to make it clear that something has zero charges. Often seen in advertisements or promotions. We offer no-cost consultations to our clients. Sign up for a no-cost trial of our service.
gratis	Formal or legal contexts to indicate that an item or service is provided without payment; more neutral than 'free'. The medication samples were provided gratis to the patients. Students received gratis admission to the auditorium.
costless	Less commonly used, more formal or literary, indicating no cost involved. The costless digital options have revolutionized the publishing industry. The researcher provided costless solutions to enhance energy efficiency.

Examples of usage

The concert tickets were free of charge.
We received a free sample of the new product.
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi to all guests.
She won a free trip to Paris.
The store was giving out free gifts.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

no cost involved

Something that is given or provided without the need for payment.

Synonyms

complimentary item, freebie, gift, giveaway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
giveaway	Commonly refers to items given out for free in contests, promotions, or events to attract attention or promote something. Enter the giveaway to win a free trip to Paris. They are doing a giveaway at the store this weekend.
freebie	Informal, often used in conversations to indicate small, free items given away, usually for promotional purposes. I got a freebie at the trade show. Look at all these freebies we received at the fair.
gift	Used to describe something given voluntarily without payment as a present. She received a beautiful gift on her birthday. This painting is a gift from my friend.

Word

Description / Examples

giveaway

Commonly refers to items given out for free in contests, promotions, or events to attract attention or promote something.

Enter the giveaway to win a free trip to Paris.
They are doing a giveaway at the store this weekend.

freebie

Informal, often used in conversations to indicate small, free items given away, usually for promotional purposes.

I got a freebie at the trade show.
Look at all these freebies we received at the fair.

gift

Used to describe something given voluntarily without payment as a present.

She received a beautiful gift on her birthday.
This painting is a gift from my friend.

Examples of usage

The company offers a free trial of their services.
The event is a fun day out for the whole family, and it's completely free.
The park entrance is free for all visitors.
She received a free upgrade to first class.
They are giving away free samples of the new product.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Economics

Goods or services advertised as 'for free' can increase customer engagement and stimulate market competition.
In economics, the concept of 'free' often refers to goods that are not subject to market forces due to being available at no cost.
Companies use 'free' offers as marketing strategies, such as free trials, to attract potential paying customers.

Pop Culture

The phrase is often featured in promotions and advertisements, leading to trends like 'freemium' services in gaming and software.
The expression appears in songs and movies, commonly highlighting generosity or unexpected gifts.
Social media platforms frequently use the term to describe free giveaways, prompting challenges and excitement among users.

Psychology

Offering something for free can trigger a sense of reciprocity, where individuals feel compelled to give in return, even if they didn't initially plan to.
Psychological studies suggest that people perceive 'free' offers as greater value, regardless of the actual worth.
'Free' can create perceived scarcity, enticing consumers to act quickly before the offer ends, resulting in impulse decisions.

Charity

Many charities and nonprofits offer services or goods for free to support those in need, fostering community solidarity.
The idea of giving something for free is rooted in altruism, encouraging generosity and kindness among individuals.
Food banks and shelters operate under the principle of providing essential services 'for free' to help disadvantaged populations.

Origin of 'for free'

Main points about word origin

The phrase 'for free' comes from the Old English word 'freo,' which means 'free' or 'not in bondage'.
In the 18th century, 'free' often referred to being released from obligations or restrictions, evolving to refer to costlessness.
The combination of 'for' and 'free' likely gained popularity in the 20th century, aligning with an increase in promotional offers.

The phrase 'for free' originated in the late 19th century as a colloquial expression in English. It is a combination of the preposition 'for' and the adjective 'free,' indicating something provided without cost or payment. Over time, the usage of 'for free' has become widely accepted in informal language, although some language purists argue that 'for' is redundant and prefer 'free' on its own. Regardless, 'for free' remains a common and understood phrase in modern English.