liberty

lib-er-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.

  2. 2.

    A right or privilege, especially a statutory one.

  3. 3.

    The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

  4. 4.

    (Often plural) An action or attitude that is overly familiar or presumptuous.

Forms

plural: liberties

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    at liberty — free to do something; not imprisoned
  • •
    take liberties — to behave too freely or disrespectfully
  • •
    liberty and justice — fundamental principles of democratic society
  • •
    Statue of Liberty — famous monument in New York Harbor symbolizing freedom
  • •
    civil liberties — fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens

Related words

Antonyms: bondage, captivity, oppression, slavery
See also: freedom, liberal, liberate, liberation
Synonyms: autonomy, emancipation, freedom, independence

Etymology

From Old French liberte, from Latin libertas ("freedom, condition of a free person"), from liber ("free").