freely
English
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. enPR: frē'lē, IPA(key): /ˈfɹili/
Audio (US): (file) - Rhymes: -iːli
Etymology 1
From Middle English frely, freelich, from Old English frēolīc (“free, freeborn, glorious, stately, magnificent, noble, beautiful, charming”), equivalent to free + -ly. Compare Middle Low German vrilik, vrigelik (“free”), Middle High German vrīlich (“free”).
Alternative forms
- frely (Scotland)
Adjective
freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)
Derived terms
Etymology 2
From Middle English frely, freliche, from Old English frēolīċe (“freely, readily, as a festival”), equivalent to free + -ly. Compare Dutch vrijelijk (“freely”), German freilich (“certainly, of course”).
Adverb
freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)
- In a free manner.
- Wine was flowing freely.
- Without interference or restriction.
- talk freely
- 1961 February, ""Balmore"", “Driving and firing modern French steam locomotives - Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 110:
- I found that the Chapelon steamed almost too freely, because on a strange locomotive and road one usually tends to overfire a little through a natural lack of confidence.
- Of one's own free will.
- I will freely help you.
Related terms
Translations
in a free manner
|
without interference or restriction
|
References
- “freely”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
Categories:
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- Rhymes:English/iːli
- Rhymes:English/iːli/2 syllables
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms suffixed with -ly (adjectival)
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
- English terms suffixed with -ly (adverbial)
- English adverbs
- English terms with usage examples
- English terms with quotations
- English act-related adverbs
- English manner adverbs