liberal – Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

A liberal is someone on the left wing of politics the opposite of a conservative. Also, a liberal attitude toward anything means more tolerance for change.

There are many meanings for liberal, but they mostly have to do with freedom and openness to change. A teacher with a liberal policy toward attendance is going to be forgiving of missed days. A bank with a liberal attitude toward your money would probably be bad: some things are awful if they're loose and free. But no one will give you a hard time if you use a liberal amount of catsup on your fries.

1.

showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

2.

given or giving freely

3.

not literal

Full Definitions of liberal

1

of or belonging to the political or intellectual left

having or showing active concern for protection of civil liberties protected by law

having or demonstrating belief in the essential goodness of man and the autonomy of the individual; favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority

having or showing belief in the need for economic growth in addition to traditional liberalistic values

favoring or promoting reform (often by government action)

under group or government control

of or relating to a welfare state

of or belonging to the political or intellectual left

resistant to change

pompously ultraconservative and nationalistic

conservative in professional manner

old-fashioned and out of date

stubbornly conservative and narrow-minded

extremely conservative

adhering to what is commonly accepted

of or belonging to the political or intellectual right

a person who is reluctant to accept changes and new ideas

a person of liberal ideals who takes no action to realize them

a person who is broad-minded and tolerant (especially in standards of religious belief and conduct)

a liberal who subscribes to neoliberalism

someone who believes that distinct ethnic or cultural or religious groups can exist together in society

a member of the political party that urged social reform in 18th and 19th century England; was the opposition party to the Tories

a fully developed person from maturity onward

a fully developed person from maturity onward

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liberal - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com