Free vs. Freely — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
"Free" describes something that costs nothing or is unconfined, while "freely" is an adverb meaning without restriction or done voluntarily.
Difference Between Free and Freely
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Free" is an adjective used to indicate that something does not cost any money, implying no financial charge for acquisition. On the other hand, "freely" serves as an adverb, implying actions performed without any restrictions, constraints, or coercion, emphasizing the manner of action rather than cost.
When describing the availability of something without a price, "free" is the correct choice. For example, libraries often offer free access to books and resources. Conversely, "freely" is used to describe the way something is given or done, such as expressing opinions without fear of retribution or sharing resources without limitation.
In terms of liberty or release from confinement, "free" can describe a state of being, such as being free from obligations or imprisonment. "Freely," however, pertains to the ease and lack of hindrance in actions or movements, such as moving freely through a space or speaking freely in a conversation.
The distinction also extends to legal and philosophical contexts where "free" might refer to rights and entitlements without cost or constraint, like free speech. "Freely," in these contexts, would discuss the unimpeded exercise of such rights, highlighting the aspect of voluntariness and absence of external control.
"Free" can imply an exemption from something undesirable, like being free of disease, whereas "freely" emphasizes an uninhibited or spontaneous quality in actions or decisions, such as donating money freely to a cause, underlining the voluntary aspect.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Adverb
Meaning
Costs nothing; not confined
Without restrictions; voluntarily
Usage Context
Price, liberation
Manner of action
Examples in Sentences
The museum offers free admission.
He speaks freely about his opinions.
Associated Concepts
Cost-free, unrestricted
Unhindered, voluntary
Compare with Definitions
Free
Not costing any money.
Admission to the park is free for children under five.
Freely
Voluntarily, without being forced.
He freely offered his help to the team.
Free
Not under the control or in the power of another.
After years of struggle, the country is finally free.
Freely
In an unrestricted manner.
Information flows freely on the internet.
Free
Exempt from something undesirable.
The city has been declared free of the disease.
Freely
Without hesitation or reservation.
She speaks freely about her experiences.
Free
Unrestricted in movement or use.
The animal roams free in its natural habitat.
Freely
Generously or abundantly.
He gives freely to his favorite charities.
Free
Available without restrictions.
The software is free for personal use.
Freely
Without restrictions or limitations.
The journalist writes freely about the government.
Free
Able to act or be done as one wishes; not under the control of another
I have no ambitions other than to have a happy life and be free
A free choice
Freely
Not imprisoned or confined
Walked out of prison a free man.
Set the birds free.
Free
Not or no longer confined or imprisoned
Police were forced to let him walk free
The researchers set the birds free
Freely
Not controlled by obligation or the will of another
Felt free to go.
Free
Not subject to engagements or obligations
She spent her free time shopping
Freely
Not controlled by another country or political power; independent
A free nation.
Free
Not subject to or affected by (something undesirable)
Our salsas are free of preservatives
Freely
Governed by consent and possessing or granting civil liberties
A free citizenry.
Free
Given or available without charge
Free health care
Freely
Not subject to arbitrary interference by a government
A free press.
Free
Using or expending something without restraint; lavish
She was always free with her money
Freely
Not enslaved.
Free
(of literature or music) not observing the normal conventions of style or form.
Freely
Not affected or restricted by a given condition or circumstance
A healthy animal, free of disease.
People free from need.
Free
(of the wind) blowing from a favourable direction to the side or aft of a vessel.
Freely
Not subject to a given condition; exempt
Income that is free of all taxes.
Free
Without cost or payment
Ladies were admitted free
Freely
Not bound by convention or the rules of form
A free artistic style.
Free
With the sheets eased
I kept her off the wind and sailing free until I had all square forward
Freely
Not literal or exact
A free translation.
Free
Release from confinement or slavery
They were freed from jail
Freely
Costing nothing; gratuitous
A free meal.
Free
Remove something undesirable or restrictive from
His inheritance freed him from financial constraints
Free your body of excess tension
Freely
Publicly supported
Free education.
Free
Make available for a particular purpose
We are freeing management time for alternative work
Freely
Unobstructed; clear
A free lane on the highway.
Free
Not imprisoned or confined
Walked out of prison a free man.
Set the birds free.
Freely
Not occupied or used
A free locker.
Free energy.
Free
Not controlled by obligation or the will of another
Felt free to go.
Freely
Not taken up by scheduled activities
Free time between classes.
Free
Not controlled by another country or political power; independent
A free nation.
Freely
Immoderate in giving or spending; liberal or lavish
Tourists who are free with their money.
Free
Governed by consent and possessing or granting civil liberties
A free citizenry.
Freely
Frank or unguarded in expression or manner; open or outspoken
She is very free with her opinions.
Free
Not subject to arbitrary interference by a government
A free press.
Freely
Given, made, or done of one's own accord; voluntary or spontaneous
A free act of the will.
Free choices.
Free
Not enslaved.
Freely
Unconstrained; unconfined
Free expansion.
Free
Not affected or restricted by a given condition or circumstance
A healthy animal, free of disease.
People free from need.
Freely
Not fixed in position; capable of relatively unrestricted motion
A free electron.
Free
Not subject to a given condition; exempt
Income that is free of all taxes.
Freely
Not chemically bound in a molecule
Free oxygen.
Free
Not bound by convention or the rules of form
A free artistic style.
Freely
Involving no collisions or interactions
A free path.
Free
Not literal or exact
A free translation.
Freely
Empty or unoccupied
A free space.
An atom with a free energy level.
Free
Costing nothing; gratuitous
A free meal.
Freely
(Nautical) Favorable
A free wind.
Free
Publicly supported
Free education.
Freely
Not bound, fastened, or attached
The free end of a chain.
Free
Unobstructed; clear
A free lane on the highway.
Freely
Being a form, especially a morpheme, that can stand as an independent word, such as boat or bring.
Free
Not occupied or used
A free locker.
Free energy.
Freely
Being a vowel in an open syllable, as the o in go.
Free
Not taken up by scheduled activities
Free time between classes.
Freely
In a free manner; without restraint.
Free
Immoderate in giving or spending; liberal or lavish
Tourists who are free with their money.
Freely
Without charge.
Free
Frank or unguarded in expression or manner; open or outspoken
She is very free with her opinions.
Freely
To make free, as from confinement or oppression
Freed the slaves.
Free
Given, made, or done of one's own accord; voluntary or spontaneous
A free act of the will.
Free choices.
Freely
To relieve of a burden, obligation, or restraint
A people who were at last freed from fear.
Free
Unconstrained; unconfined
Free expansion.
Freely
To remove obstructions or entanglements from; clear
Free a path through the jungle.
Free
Not fixed in position; capable of relatively unrestricted motion
A free electron.
Freely
To make available
Canceling the program freed up money for the new library.
Free
Not chemically bound in a molecule
Free oxygen.
Freely
Freestyle.
Free
Involving no collisions or interactions
A free path.
Freely
Free; frank.
Free
Empty or unoccupied
A free space.
An atom with a free energy level.
Freely
Generous; noble; excellent; beautiful; lovely.
Free
(Nautical) Favorable
A free wind.
Freely
In a free manner.
Wine was flowing freely.
Free
Not bound, fastened, or attached
The free end of a chain.
Freely
Without interference or restriction.
Talk freely
Free
Being a form, especially a morpheme, that can stand as an independent word, such as boat or bring.
Freely
Of one's own free will.
I will freely help you.
Free
Being a vowel in an open syllable, as the o in go.
Freely
In a free manner; without restraint or compulsion; abundantly; gratuitously.
Of every tree of the garden thou mayst freely eat.
Freely ye have received, freely give.
Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
Freely we serveBecause we freely love.
Free
In a free manner; without restraint.
Freely
In a free manner;
The painting featured freely brushed strokes
Free
Without charge.
Free
To make free, as from confinement or oppression
Freed the slaves.
Free
To relieve of a burden, obligation, or restraint
A people who were at last freed from fear.
Free
To remove obstructions or entanglements from; clear
Free a path through the jungle.
Free
To make available
Canceling the program freed up money for the new library.
Free
Freestyle.
Free
(social) Unconstrained.
He was given free rein to do whatever he wanted.
Free
Not imprisoned or enslaved.
A free man
Free
Unconstrained by timidity or distrust
Free
Generous; liberal.
He's very free with his money.
Free
(obsolete) Clear of offence or crime; guiltless; innocent.
Free
Without obligations.
Free time
Free
Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed, engrossed, or appropriated; open; said of a thing to be possessed or enjoyed.
A free school
Free
Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending individual rights against encroachment by any person or class; instituted by a free people; said of a government, institutions, etc.
This is a free country.
Free
(software) With no or only freedom-preserving limitations on distribution or modification.
OpenOffice is free software.
Free
(software) Intended for release, as opposed to a checked version.
Free
Obtainable without any payment.
The government provides free health care.
It's free real estate.
Free
Complimentary
Buy a TV to get a free DVD player!
Free
(abstract) Unconstrained.
Free
(mathematics) Unconstrained by relators.
The free group on three generators
Free
Unconstrained by quantifiers.
is the free variable in .
Free
(programming) Unconstrained of identifiers, not bound.
Free
(linguistics) of a morpheme That can be used by itself, unattached to another morpheme.
Free
(physical) Unconstrained.
Free
Unobstructed, without blockages.
The drain was free
Free
Unattached or uncombined.
A free radical
Free
Not currently in use; not taken; unoccupied.
You can sit on this chair; it's free.
Free
Not attached; loose.
In this group of mushrooms, the gills are free.
Free
(military) Of a rocket or missile: not under the control of a guidance system after being launched.
Free
Without; not containing (what is specified); exempt; clear; liberated.
We had a wholesome, filling meal, free of meat.
I would like to live free from care in the mountains.
Free
(dated) Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping; spirited.
A free horse
Free
(dated) Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special rights; followed by of.
Free
Certain or honourable; the opposite of base.
Free service;
Free socage
Free
(legal) Privileged or individual; the opposite of common.
A free fishery;
A free warren
Free
Without needing to pay.
I got this bike free.
Free
(obsolete) Freely; willingly.
Free
(transitive) To make free; set at liberty; release.
Free
(transitive) To rid of something that confines or oppresses.
Free
To relinquish (previously allocated memory) to the system.
Free
Abbreviation of free kick
Free
(association football) A free transfer.
Free
(hurling) The usual means of restarting play after a foul is committed, where the non-offending team restarts from where the foul was committed.
Free
Abbreviation of freestyle
The team won the 200 meters free relay.
Free
Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
That which has the power, or not the power, to operate, is that alone which is or is not free.
Free
Not under an arbitrary or despotic government; subject only to fixed laws regularly and fairly administered, and defended by them from encroachments upon natural or acquired rights; enjoying political liberty.
Free
Liberated, by arriving at a certain age, from the control of parents, guardian, or master.
Free
Not confined or imprisoned; released from arrest; liberated; at liberty to go.
Set an unhappy prisoner free.
Free
Not subjected to the laws of physical necessity; capable of voluntary activity; endowed with moral liberty; - said of the will.
Not free, what proof could they have given sincereOf true allegiance, constant faith, or love.
Free
Clear of offense or crime; guiltless; innocent.
My hands are guilty, but my heart is free.
Free
Unconstrained by timidity or distrust; unreserved; ingenuous; frank; familiar; communicative.
He was free only with a few.
Free
Unrestrained; immoderate; lavish; licentious; - used in a bad sense.
The critics have been very free in their censures.
A man may live a free life as to wine or women.
Free
Not close or parsimonious; liberal; open-handed; lavish; as, free with his money.
Free
Exempt; clear; released; liberated; not encumbered or troubled with; as, free from pain; free from a burden; - followed by from, or, rarely, by of.
Princes declaring themselves free from the obligations of their treaties.
Free
Characteristic of one acting without restraint; charming; easy.
Free
Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping; spirited; as, a free horse.
Free
Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special rights; - followed by of.
He therefore makes all birds, of every sect,Free of his farm.
Free
Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed, engrossed, or appropriated; open; - said of a thing to be possessed or enjoyed; as, a free school.
Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as freeFor me as for you?
Free
Not gained by importunity or purchase; gratuitous; spontaneous; as, free admission; a free gift.
Free
Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending individual rights against encroachment by any person or class; instituted by a free people; - said of a government, institutions, etc.
Free
Certain or honorable; the opposite of base; as, free service; free socage.
Free
Privileged or individual; the opposite of common; as, a free fishery; a free warren.
Free
Not united or combined with anything else; separated; dissevered; unattached; at liberty to escape; as, free carbonic acid gas; free cells.
Free
Freely; willingly.
I as free forgive youAs I would be forgiven.
Free
Without charge; as, children admitted free.
Free
To make free; to set at liberty; to rid of that which confines, limits, embarrasses, oppresses, etc.; to release; to disengage; to clear; - followed by from, and sometimes by off; as, to free a captive or a slave; to be freed of these inconveniences.
Our land is from the rage of tigers freed.
Arise, . . . free thy people from their yoke.
Free
To remove, as something that confines or bars; to relieve from the constraint of.
This master keyFrees every lock, and leads us to his person.
Free
To frank.
Free
People who are free;
The home of the free and the brave
Free
Grant freedom to; free from confinement
Free
Relieve from;
Rid the the house of pests
Free
Remove or force out from a position;
The dentist dislodged the piece of food that had been stuck under my gums
He finally could free the legs of the earthquake victim who was buried in the rubble
Free
Grant relief or an exemption from a rule or requirement to;
She exempted me from the exam
Free
Make (information) available publication;
Release the list with the names of the prisoners
Free
Free from obligations or duties
Free
Free or remove obstruction from;
Free a path across the cluttered floor
Free
Let off the hook;
I absolve you from this responsibility
Free
Part with a possession or right;
I am relinquishing my bedroom to the long-term house guest
Resign a claim to the throne
Free
Make (assets) available;
Release the holdings in the dictator's bank account
Free
Able to act at will; not hampered; not under compulsion or restraint;
Free enterprise
A free port
A free country
I have an hour free
Free will
Free of racism
Feel free to stay as long as you wish
A free choice
Free
Unconstrained or not chemically bound in a molecule or not fixed and capable of relatively unrestricted motion;
Free expansion
Free oxygen
A free electron
Free
Costing nothing;
Complimentary tickets
Free
Not occupied or in use;
A free locker
A free lane
Free
Not fixed in position;
The detached shutter fell on him
He pulled his arm free and ran
Free
Not held in servitude;
After the Civil War he was a free man
Free
Not taken up by scheduled activities;
A free hour between classes
Spare time on my hands
Free
Not literal;
A loose interpretation of what she had been told
A free translation of the poem
Free
Without restraint;
Cows in India are running loose
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to speak freely?
To speak freely means to express oneself without restraint or fear of consequences.
Can a product be advertised as "freely available"?
Yes, indicating it can be accessed or used without any restrictions, though "free" emphasizes its costlessness.
How does "freely" apply in legal contexts?
It pertains to the unimpeded exercise of rights or actions, such as speaking or moving without legal restrictions.
Can "free" describe something available without limitations?
Yes, it can describe both the absence of financial cost and the lack of restrictions on access or use.
Can "free" and "freely" be used interchangeably?
No, because they serve different grammatical functions and convey distinct meanings related to cost/no-cost and manner of action, respectively.
How is "freely" used to describe generosity?
It indicates giving or sharing generously and without hesitation or restraint.
How does "free" relate to cost?
"Free" indicates that something does not require payment to obtain or use.
Is there a scenario where "free" implies a negative connotation?
Rarely, but it might imply a lack of value or quality in some contexts, unlike "freely," which generally has positive connotations of openness and generosity.
What is the main difference between "free" and "freely"?
"Free" is an adjective describing something without cost or restraint, while "freely" is an adverb indicating actions done without restrictions.
What does it mean to act freely?
It means to act without coercion, limitation, or external control, often emphasizing voluntariness.
Can "freely" imply ease in addition to lack of restriction?
Yes, it often suggests an action is performed easily or naturally, without impediment.
How does "free" relate to freedom?
It describes the state of being at liberty rather than in confinement or under the control of another.
Is "free" only related to financial cost?
No, "free" can also describe being unconfined, unrestricted, or released from something undesirable.
Does "freely" ever relate to financial transactions?
Less commonly, as it primarily concerns the manner of action or behavior rather than economic transactions.
In what context might "free" and "freely" be confused?
When discussing concepts of liberty and rights, where both the costless aspect of "free" and the uninhibited nature of "freely" might seem applicable, though they emphasize different aspects.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
