Word
liberate
Phoneticslib·er·ate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɪˌbɝˌeɪt/
UK/lˈɪbəɹˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to set someone or something free from a situation that limits them. You can use it for people, countries, or even ideas.
v. to set free from imprisonment, slavery, or enemy occupation; to release from social or legal constraints. Often implies a transition to a state of autonomy.
Examples
“The soldiers arrived to liberate the city from the invaders.”
“The new law aims to liberate small businesses from excessive government paperwork and high taxes.”
“While the movement sought to liberate the workforce from manual drudgery through automation, many employees feared that these technological advances would lead to widespread job displacement.”
Examples
simple
“The soldiers arrived to liberate the city from the invaders.”
contextual
“The new law aims to liberate small businesses from excessive government paperwork and high taxes.”
complex
“While the movement sought to liberate the workforce from manual drudgery through automation, many employees feared that these technological advances would lead to widespread job displacement.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In humorous or colloquial contexts, it can mean to steal or 'borrow' something without permission.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin līberātus, the perfect passive participle of līberō (“to set free, deliver”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from līber (“free”); see liberal.
Borrowed from Latin līberātus, originally used as the past participle of liberate, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.
From Middle English liberate (the common first word of such writs), from Medieval Latin līberātum, substantivized from the nominative neuter singular of līberātus, see -ate (noun-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more. Alternatively, from līberāte, the second-person plural imperative of līberō, compare English allocate (“a warrant for the payment of a pension, allowance, debt, etc.”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Domains
- 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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