# freestyle

/ˈfɹiˌstaɪɫ/ (US) · /fɹˈiːstaɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/freestyle
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. swimming

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. improvised rap

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to improvise

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. unrestricted style

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The rapper finished his set with an impressive freestyle.
- She won the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle after a powerful final lap.
- While some critics prefer polished studio recordings, others argue that a raw freestyle reveals a performer's true technical mastery and creative agility under pressure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.