Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who acts independently and makes their own choices: A "free agent" is someone not bound by the obligations or control of others, free to act according to their own will and judgment.
   • (Sports) A professional player whose contract has expired: In sports, a "free agent" is an athlete who is not under contract with any team and is therefore eligible to sign with any club.

Usage Examples

• Noun (General):
  • After quitting her corporate job, she became a free agent, taking on freelance projects.
  • He operates as a free agent, unaffiliated with any political party.
• Noun (Sports):
  • The star quarterback became a free agent and was pursued by several teams.
  • His goal is to play well this season and enter free agency next year.

Advanced Usage

• "To be/act like a free agent": To behave with complete independence, often implying a lack of commitment to a group or cause.
  • In the negotiations, he acted like a free agent, making decisions without consulting his partners.
• "To test free agency": (Sports) To enter the period when one's contract expires to explore offers from other teams.
  • The player decided to test free agency to see his market value.

Variants and Related Words

• Free agency (n): The state or condition of being a free agent. In sports, it is the period when players without contracts can negotiate with teams.
  • He entered free agency after his contract ended.
• Free-agent (adj): Used attributively to describe something related to a free agent.
  • The free-agent market is very competitive this season.

Synonyms

• Independent: Not influenced or controlled by others.
• Unattached: Not connected or associated with any particular group.
• (Sports) Uncontracted player: A player not bound by a contract.

Related Phrases

• To go free agent: (Informal) To choose to become independent or, in sports, to become available for other teams.
  • After her startup was acquired, she decided to go free agent for a while.
• Free agent signing: (Sports) The act of a team securing a player who was a free agent.
  • The team's most important move was the free agent signing of the veteran pitcher.

Related Idioms

• A free agent in life: Someone who lives life entirely on their own terms, without conventional constraints.
  • He traveled the world with no permanent home, a true free agent in life.

Noun

1. someone acting freely or even irresponsibly
2. (sports) a professional athlete who is free to sign a contract to play for any team