# liberty

/ˈɫɪbɝˌti/ (US) · /lˈɪbəti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/liberty
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. freedom from control

noun · CEFR B2

the power or right to do as you want without being controlled by a government or other people.

For teachers: the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behaviour, or political views.

- The people fought for their liberty and the right to vote for their own leaders.
- The new constitution was designed to protect individual liberty against the potential overreach of a centralized government.

### 2. not in prison

noun · CEFR B2

the state of not being in prison or under the control of someone else.

For teachers: the condition of being free from physical imprisonment, servitude, or forced labour.

- After ten years in jail, the prisoner finally regained his liberty.
- The legal team argued that the defendant's right to personal liberty had been violated by his prolonged detention without a formal trial.

### 3. taking a liberty

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

doing something that is a bit rude or goes beyond what is usually allowed.

For teachers: an act or statement that oversteps the boundaries of propriety or social convention.

- It's a bit of a liberty to use my car without asking me first.
- The biographer was criticized for taking liberties with the facts to make the story more dramatic for the readers.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'to take a liberty' or 'to take liberties'.

### 4. shore leave

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a short time when a sailor is allowed to leave their ship and go onto the land.

For teachers: a period of authorized absence from a naval vessel or station, typically for recreation.

- The sailors were granted liberty for the weekend while the ship was in port.
- After three months at sea, the crew was eager for liberty in the vibrant coastal city.

Usage: Usually uncountable in this context.

## Examples

- The new laws were seen as a threat to personal liberty.
- The protesters marched through the capital, demanding greater political liberty and an end to government censorship.
- Philosophers have long debated the tension between individual liberty and the collective security required to maintain a functioning, stable society.

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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.