Freebie: meaning, definitions and examples

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freebie

 

[ ˈfriːbi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

online promotions

Something given for free, typically as a promotional gift or incentive.

Synonyms

complimentary item, free sample, giveaway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
freebie

Used in informal settings to refer to items given away for free, often as promotional gifts.

  • I got this freebie at the concert last night.
  • They handed out a bunch of cool freebies at the trade show.
giveaway

Used in both informal and formal settings to refer to items given away, often as part of a promotional event or competition.

  • Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a new laptop.
  • The company is doing a big giveaway to celebrate its anniversary.
free sample

Frequently used in marketing and retail contexts to refer to small quantities of a product given to customers to try before purchasing.

  • Try a free sample of our new chocolate bar!
  • The supermarket was offering free samples of the new coffee blend.
complimentary item

Common in professional or formal settings to describe items given for free, often as a gesture of goodwill or appreciation.

  • The hotel provided complimentary items such as shampoo and snacks.
  • Guests receive complimentary items in their rooms.

Examples of usage

  • Download this app and get a freebie!
  • The store was offering freebies with every purchase.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A free drink or meal received as part of a deal or promotion.

Synonyms

complimentary meal, free drink.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
freebie

Commonly used in casual or informal situations to refer to any item or service given without charge. It can include anything from promotional items to small gifts.

  • They handed out freebies at the event
  • I got a freebie mug from the conference
free drink

Used in both casual and formal settings, usually referring to beverages provided without charge. Often seen in promotional events, hospitality services, or as part of customer appreciation.

  • The bar gave us free drinks during happy hour
  • As part of the promotion, every guest gets one free drink
complimentary meal

Used in more formal or polite contexts, typically in restaurants, hotels, or businesses as a gesture of goodwill or appreciation. It indicates a meal provided at no charge, often to compensate for an inconvenience or as a reward.

  • The hotel offered us a complimentary meal after we experienced a booking issue
  • As a loyal customer, you will receive a complimentary meal on your next visit

Examples of usage

  • I got a freebie with my burger at the restaurant.
  • The bar was handing out freebies to customers.
Context #3 | Noun

informal

Something obtained without effort or payment.

Synonyms

benefit, bonus, perk.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
freebie

Used when referring to something given for free, often with a casual or informal tone.

  • At the event, they were handing out pens and t-shirts as freebies
perk

Used to refer to a special advantage or benefit, typically offered as part of a job or membership, often informal.

  • One of the perks of working here is the free gym membership
bonus

Used to describe an extra payment or gift, often related to work or performance, sometimes unexpected.

  • The employees received a bonus for meeting the sales targets
benefit

Used in formal situations to describe an advantage or positive aspect that someone gains, often in a work or societal context.

  • One of the main benefits of this job is the health insurance

Examples of usage

  • She always manages to get freebies wherever she goes.
  • His job comes with a lot of freebies like concert tickets.

Translations

Translations of the word "freebie" in other languages:

🇵🇹 brinde

🇮🇳 मुफ़्त वस्तु

🇩🇪 Werbegeschenk

🇮🇩 barang gratis

🇺🇦 безкоштовний подарунок

🇵🇱 darmówka

🇯🇵 無料のもの

🇫🇷 cadeau gratuit

🇪🇸 regalo gratis

🇹🇷 bedava şey

🇰🇷 공짜

🇸🇦 هدية مجانية

🇨🇿 dárek zdarma

🇸🇰 darček zdarma

🇨🇳 免费赠品

🇸🇮 brezplačno darilo

🇮🇸 ókeypis gjöf

🇰🇿 тегін сый

🇬🇪 უფასო საჩუქარი

🇦🇿 pulsuz hədiyyə

🇲🇽 regalo gratis

Etymology

The term 'freebie' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'free' and the suffix '-bie' indicating a small object or gift. It gained popularity in the context of promotions and giveaways, becoming a commonly used term in informal language to refer to something received for free or without effort.

See also: free, freed, freedom, freefall, freefaller, freefalling, freeing, freelancer, freely, freeway.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,067, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.