Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
lib
lib.
Lib Dem
libation
libel
libelous
Liber
Liberal
liberal
liberal arts
liberal democracy
Liberal Democrat
Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
liberal studies
Liberal Unionist
liberalise
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "liberal" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

liberal

lib·er·al [ líbbərəl, líbbrəl ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. broad-minded: tolerant of different views and standards of behavior in others

2. progressive politically or socially: favoring gradual reform, especially political reforms that extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect the personal freedom of the individual

3. generous: freely giving money, time, or some other asset
My great-aunt was liberal in her bequests.

4. generous in quantity: large in size or amount
a liberal helping

5. not literal: not limited to the literal meaning in translation or interpretation
a liberal interpretation of the rules

6. culturally oriented: concerned with general cultural matters and broadening of the mind rather than professional or technical study
a liberal education

7. of political liberalism: relating to a political ideology of liberalism



noun  (plural lib·er·als)
Definition:
 
liberal person: somebody who favors tolerance or open-mindedness

[14th century. Via French< Latin liberalis< liber "free"]

Word Key: Synonyms

See generous.

Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
MSN Shopping
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft