liberal
/'libərəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Generous, giving freely: Characterized by or showing generosity, often in giving money, time, or support.
- Broad-minded, tolerant: Open to new ideas and behaviors; not strict or literal in interpretation; not bound by traditional or orthodox views.
- Favoring reform and progress: Relating to or supporting political or social views that emphasize individual rights, democratic reform, and social progress.
Noun:
- A person with liberal views: An individual who supports political philosophies emphasizing civil liberties, democratic reform, and often (in economics) laissez-faire or progressive policies.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- She has a very liberal attitude towards different lifestyles. (She is very tolerant and open-minded.)
- He made a liberal donation to the charity. (He gave a generous amount of money.)
- The teacher took a liberal approach to the rules. (The teacher interpreted the rules broadly and flexibly.)
Noun:
- She has always been a liberal, advocating for social change. (She has always been a person supporting progressive reform.)
- Classical liberals believe in minimal government intervention. (These individuals favor an economic theory of laissez-faire.)
Advanced Usage
"Liberal arts": Refers to academic subjects focused on general knowledge and intellectual skills (e.g., literature, philosophy, history), as opposed to professional or technical subjects.
- He decided to study liberal arts before specializing.
"Liberal interpretation": An explanation or understanding that is not strict or literal.
- The director's liberal interpretation of the script surprised the audience.
Variants and Related Words
Liberally (adverb): In a generous, abundant, or broad-minded way.
- Apply the paint liberally.
- He interpreted the guidelines liberally.
Liberalism (noun): A political and social philosophy promoting individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.
- Liberalize (verb): To make something less strict, especially laws or regulations.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Generous, open-handed, broad-minded, tolerant, progressive, reformist.
- Noun: Progressive, reformer.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Conservative, stingy, narrow-minded, strict, literal, authoritarian.
- Noun: Conservative, reactionary.
Related Phrases and Idioms
"Liberal dose of": A large or generous amount of something.
- He applied a liberal dose of sunscreen before going to the beach.
"Social liberal": A person who combines liberal views on social issues (like civil rights) with support for some economic regulation.
Adjective
- not literal
- a loose interpretation of what she had been told
- a free translation of the poem
- given or giving freely
- was a big tipper
- the bounteous goodness of God
- bountiful compliments
- a freehanded host
- a handsome allowance
- Saturday's child is loving and giving
- a liberal backer of the arts
- a munificent gift
- her fond and openhanded grandfather
- tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
- having political or social views favoring reform and progress
- showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
- a broad political stance
- generous and broad sympathies
- a liberal newspaper
- tolerant of his opponent's opinions
Noun
- a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
- a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties