ENGLISH
REFERENCE

liberal

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈɫɪˌbɝəɫ// UK //lˈɪbəɹəl// lib·er·al Academic Archaic

n. a person who believes in personal freedom and social progress. They usually support the government helping people and protecting individual rights.

n. a supporter of a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual. Often associated with the protection of civil liberties and, in modern contexts, state-led social reform.


SIMPLE

The liberals in the city voted for the new environmental law.

CONTEXTUAL

As a lifelong liberal, he campaigned tirelessly for marriage equality and expanded access to public healthcare.

COMPLEX

The tension between classical liberals, who prioritize market freedom, and social liberals, who advocate for a robust welfare state, continues to define much of modern political discourse.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Often capitalized when referring to a member of a specific political party, such as the Liberal Party in Canada or Australia.

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