Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin liberalis, from liber; LIBERTY

liberal

1 adjective
     
Related topics: Politics
lib‧e‧ral1 W2
1 willing to understand and respect other people's ideas, opinions, and feelings:
a more liberal attitude towards sexuality
I had quite liberal parents.
2PP supporting or allowing gradual political and social changes [≠ conservative]:
a more liberal policy on issues of crime and punishment
3 allowing people or organizations a lot of political or economic freedom
4 generous or given in large amounts:
a liberal supply of drinks
liberal with
If only they were as liberal with their cash.
➔ liberally
5 not exact:
a liberal interpretation of the original play
6

liberal education

SE a kind of education which encourages you to develop a large range of interests and knowledge and respect for other people's opinions
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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