Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Without paying rent: Describes living or occupying a property without the obligation to pay rent.
2. Adjective:
   • Complimentary; without payment of rent: Describes a property or accommodation provided at no rental cost.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • After the fire, the family was allowed to stay in the apartment rent-free for three months.
  • As part of his compensation, the caretaker lives in the cottage rent-free.
• Adjective:
  • The position includes a rent-free apartment near the university.
  • They offered us rent-free accommodation for the first year of our contract.

Advanced Usage

• "Live rent-free in someone's head" (idiom, informal): To occupy someone's thoughts persistently and without cost, often causing them annoyance.
  • Ever since their argument, his criticism has been living rent-free in her mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Rent-free is a hyphenated compound. The related noun is rent.
• Rent (n): A periodic payment made to an owner for the use of property or land.

Synonyms

• Adverb/Adjective: Gratis, without charge, at no cost, complimentary.

Related Phrases

• Rent-controlled (adj.): Refers to housing where the rent is regulated by law, not free but limited in price.
• Rent subsidy (n.): Financial assistance that helps pay rent, not making it entirely free but reducing the cost.

Related Idioms

• "Live rent-free in someone's head": As defined in Advanced Usage, this is a common modern idiom extending the literal meaning.

Adverb

1. without paying rent
   • I can live here rent-free

Adjective

1. complimentary; without payment of rent
   • with the job came a rent-free apartment