Liberal: meaning, definitions and examples

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liberal

 

[ หˆlษชb(ษ™)r(ษ™)l ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

political beliefs

Open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values.

Synonyms

broad-minded, progressive, tolerant.

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Word Description / Examples
liberal

This word is typically used in political or social contexts to describe someone who supports reforms and progressive policies, often in favor of greater personal freedom and equality.

  • She has always been a liberal when it comes to social issues
progressive

Often referring to political or social movements, this term is used to describe ideas or people that advocate for change and improvements, fostering progress in society.

  • She supports progressive policies like universal healthcare and renewable energy
broad-minded

Use this term to describe someone who is open to new ideas and different opinions. It's often used in a personal or professional context when discussing attitudes or approaches.

  • His broad-minded approach to problem-solving helped the team innovate
tolerant

This word is best used to describe someone who is accepting of differences and diverse opinions, cultures, or ways of life. It is often used in social and interpersonal contexts.

  • They are known to be tolerant neighbors, always respectful of othersโ€™ beliefs

Examples of usage

  • She is known for her liberal views on social issues.
  • The party promotes a liberal approach to immigration policy.
Context #2 | Adjective

economics

Favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms.

Synonyms

capitalistic, free-market, laissez-faire.

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Word Description / Examples
liberal

This term can also be used in a broader sense to describe someone who is open-minded and willing to consider new ideas. It can refer to a general attitude of openness and flexibility.

  • He has a liberal attitude towards different cultural practices.
  • She is liberal in her acceptance of diverse viewpoints.
free-market

This term refers to an economic system where prices for goods and services are determined by open competition between private businesses, without government intervention. It is often used in discussions about economic policies and market dynamics.

  • A free-market economy allows for the natural regulation of supply and demand.
  • Advocates of the free-market system argue that it leads to more efficient resource allocation.
capitalistic

This word is commonly used to describe an economic system where trade, industries, and the means of production are controlled by private owners with the goal of generating profits. It's often used in discussions about economics, business, and finance.

  • The capitalistic nature of the economy promotes competition and innovation.
  • In a capitalistic society, businesses must adapt quickly to market demands.
laissez-faire

This phrase is used to describe an economic policy of letting owners of industry and business operate without government interference. It is often discussed in the context of economic liberalism and classical economics.

  • Laissez-faire policies can lead to rapid industrial growth but may also result in social inequalities.
  • The government adopted a laissez-faire approach, allowing businesses to operate without strict regulations.

Examples of usage

  • The country has adopted a more liberal economic policy.
  • The government aims to create a more liberal market environment.
Context #3 | Noun

person

A supporter or advocate of liberal principles.

Synonyms

democrat, left-winger, progressive.

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Word Description / Examples
liberal

Often used to describe someone who supports individual freedoms, social equality, and government intervention in the economy to ensure fairness.

  • She has liberal views on marriage equality.
  • The liberal candidate focused on healthcare reforms.
progressive

Describes someone who seeks social reform and new ideas, often working towards progressive taxation, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

  • He is known as a progressive advocate for environmental issues.
  • The progressive movement has gained momentum in recent years.
left-winger

Used to describe someone with strong progressive or socialist views, often advocating for significant social changes. It might have a negative connotation depending on the context.

  • The politician was labeled a left-winger due to his radical economic policies.
  • As a left-winger, she fights for workers' rights and income redistribution.
democrat

Specifically refers to a member or supporter of the Democratic Party in the United States. It can also be used broadly to describe someone who supports democracy.

  • He identified as a lifelong Democrat.
  • Democrats have proposed new legislation on climate change.

Examples of usage

  • She is a committed liberal and fights for equality.
  • Many liberals believe in the importance of social justice.

Translations

Translations of the word "liberal" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น liberal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‰เคฆเคพเคฐเคตเคพเคฆเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช liberal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ liberal

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปั–ะฑะตั€ะฐะปัŒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ liberalny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่‡ช็”ฑไธป็พฉ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท libรฉral

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ liberal

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท liberal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ž์œ ์ฃผ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ูŠุจุฑุงู„ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ liberรกlnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ liberรกlny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่‡ช็”ฑไธปไน‰

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ liberalen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ frjรกlslyndur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะปะธะฑะตั€ะฐะปะดั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒšแƒ˜แƒ‘แƒ”แƒ แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ liberal

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ liberal

Etymology

The word 'liberal' has roots in Latin 'liberalis' meaning 'befitting a free person, generous, noble'. In the 19th century, it came to be associated with political and economic liberalism, advocating individual liberties and free markets. Today, 'liberal' is used in various contexts to describe progressive, open-minded attitudes.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,853, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.