English Reference

Word

freestyle

US/ˈfɹiˌstaɪɫ/

UK/fɹˈiːstaɪl/

Definitions

01swimming

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Sports

n. a swimming race where you can use any stroke you like, though most people use the front crawl.

n. a swimming competition in which any stroke may be used; in practice, it refers almost exclusively to the front crawl as the most efficient method.

“She won the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at the local meet.”

“The swimmer dominated the freestyle event, maintaining a consistent pace that left his competitors struggling to close the gap in the final lap.”

Synonyms

front crawl

02improvised rap

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Music

n. a style of rapping where the performer makes up the lyrics on the spot.

n. a style of hip-hop performance in which the artist improvises lyrics in real time, often over a pre-recorded beat.

“The rapper impressed the crowd with a five-minute freestyle about the city.”

“During the radio interview, the artist delivered a complex freestyle that showcased his ability to weave intricate internal rhymes without prior preparation.”

Synonyms

improvad-lib

03to improvise

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to perform or do something by making it up as you go instead of following a plan.

v. to perform in an improvised or unrestricted manner, particularly in music, dance, or sports.

“The dancers started to freestyle when the DJ played a different kind of beat.”

“The jazz musician began to freestyle over the chord progression, taking the melody in a direction the rest of the band had not anticipated.”

Synonyms

improvisead-libextemporize

Antonyms

04unrestricted style

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. done in a free way without following strict rules or a set pattern.

adj. relating to or performed in a style that allows for individual choice or improvisation.

“The competition includes a freestyle section where skaters can show off their best tricks.”

“The freestyle skiing event allows athletes to incorporate various flips and spins that are not permitted in more traditional downhill disciplines.”

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“Daniel Wiffen had to make do with eighth place in the men's 15-hundred metres freestyle.”
BreakingNews.ie 15 Aug 2026
“Meanwhile, at the European Aquatics in Paris, Daniel Wiffen is through to tomorrow's final of the men's 1,500 metres freestyle.”
BreakingNews.ie 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

From free + style.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domains

MusicSports

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference