English Reference
adjective · verb

liberated

adj. · v.
US /ˈɫɪˌbɝˌeɪtɪd/ UK /lˈɪbəɹˌeɪtɪd/ lib·er·at·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.free from old-fashioned ideas about how people should behave, especially regarding social or sexual roles.

    adj.released from traditional social, sexual, or ideological constraints; often used to describe progressive attitudes in the late 20th century.

    Simple

    She felt much more liberated after moving to the city and meeting people with modern ideas.

    In context

    The novel explores the lives of liberated women in the 1970s who challenged the domestic expectations of their parents' generation.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.released from the control of an enemy, a prison, or a strict government.

    adj.having been set free from physical or political bondage, occupation, or imprisonment.

    Simple

    The liberated prisoners were finally able to return to their families after the war ended.

    In context

    The citizens of the liberated capital took to the streets to celebrate the departure of the occupying forces.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.the past tense of 'liberate', meaning to have set someone or something free.

    v.the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'liberate', indicating the completed action of granting freedom.

    Simple

    The army liberated the town after a long and difficult battle.

    In context

    By the time the international observers arrived, the local militia had already liberated the remaining political detainees from the compound.

In spring 1945, as the second world war ended, Trieste was liberated from fascist rule by the Yugoslav army.

The Guardian· 25 Aug 2026

And so, with no star player to serve, Dembélé was liberated.

The Guardian· 20 Dec 2025
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated