A1 noun Neutral

freedom

/ˈfriːdəm/

Freedom is the state of being able to act, speak, or think without being controlled by anyone else. In a legal sense, it refers to the specific rights and liberties protected by a government or laws.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Children enjoy the freedom of playing outside during the summer.

Kids have the liberty to play outdoors in the summer months.

2

The new law protects the freedom of the press and media outlets.

The legislation ensures that newspapers and news stations remain independent.

3

I love the freedom of being my own boss.

I like that I can make my own decisions at work.

Word Family

Noun
freedom
Verb
free
Adverb
freely
Adjective
free
Related
liberation
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Memory Tip

Think of the Statue of Liberty; she represents 'freedom' and is a symbol of being 'free'.

Quick Quiz

The constitution of the country guarantees ____ of religion to everyone.

Correct!

The correct answer is: freedom

Examples

1

Children enjoy the freedom of playing outside during the summer.

everyday

Kids have the liberty to play outdoors in the summer months.

2

The new law protects the freedom of the press and media outlets.

formal

The legislation ensures that newspapers and news stations remain independent.

3

I love the freedom of being my own boss.

informal

I like that I can make my own decisions at work.

4

Political freedom is a fundamental concept in modern democratic theory.

academic

The idea of being politically independent is central to democracy studies.

5

Our company gives managers the freedom to set their own project budgets.

business

The business allows managers to decide how to spend their project money.

Word Family

Noun
freedom
Verb
free
Adverb
freely
Adjective
free
Related
liberation

Common Collocations

freedom of speech the right to express opinions publicly
religious freedom the right to practice any religion
academic freedom the liberty for teachers to study and teach
gain freedom to become free from control or prison
fight for freedom to struggle to obtain rights or independence

Common Phrases

freedom of choice

the opportunity to choose between different options

set someone free

to release someone from a cage or prison

freedom of movement

the right to travel or live where you want

Often Confused With

freedom vs liberty

Liberty often refers to specific legal rights, while freedom is a more general personal state.

freedom vs free

Free is usually an adjective or verb, while freedom is the noun form.

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Usage Notes

Use 'freedom' to talk about the general concept of being free. It can be used as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'we want freedom') or a countable noun when referring to specific rights (e.g., 'the five freedoms').

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the adjective 'free' when they need the noun 'freedom'. For example, saying 'I want my free' instead of 'I want my freedom'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the Statue of Liberty; she represents 'freedom' and is a symbol of being 'free'.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English 'frēodōm', where 'frēo' means not in bondage and '-dōm' indicates a state or condition.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun in general contexts can be used as a countable noun for specific rights (plural: freedoms) often followed by the preposition 'of' or 'from'
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, 'freedom' is considered a core value and a basic human right often cited in national constitutions.

Quick Quiz

The constitution of the country guarantees ____ of religion to everyone.

Correct!

The correct answer is: freedom

More law words

copyright

A1

The legal right that gives the creator of an original work the power to control how it is used. It prevents others from copying, selling, or performing the work without the owner's permission.

judge

A1

A judge is a person who works in a court of law and makes official decisions about legal cases. They listen to the facts and decide how to punish people who break the law.

duty

A1

A duty is something that you must do because it is your job or because it is the right thing to do. In law, it is a legal responsibility that a person or group has to follow.

lease

A1

A lease is a legal agreement that lets someone use a building, land, or equipment for a set amount of time. In return, the person must pay a specific amount of money to the owner.

sentence

A1

A sentence is a punishment given by a judge to someone who has been found guilty of a crime. It explains how much time a person must spend in prison or how much money they must pay as a fine.

clause

A1

A clause is a specific section, paragraph, or individual rule within a legal document or contract. It explains a particular condition or requirement that the people involved must follow.

liberty

A1

Liberty is the state of being free within society from control or oppressive restrictions. it is the right and power to believe, act, and express oneself as one chooses.

hearing

A1

In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.

justice

A1

Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.

verdict

A1

A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.

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