free

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "free" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "free" as an adjective meaning without charge or cost, or as an adverb meaning without restraint or without having to pay. Example sentence: "This restaurant offers unlimited refills of soda for free."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But in general women should be free to decide what to wear for themselves".

The Guardian

"I know that that this means to offer the right hand of friendship to keep the left hand free to deliver the knockout blow to break Britain apart.

The Guardian

You can sign up – for free – online here.

The Guardian

An increase in free childcare for three- and four-year-olds, to 30 hours a week.

The Guardian

So we have created a strong incentive for hospitals in the system not to pick out the people who aren't entitled to free NHS care.

The Guardian

Western observers have never deemed any Uzbek presidential or parliamentary election in the post-Soviet era to be free and fair.

The Guardian

"What sick bastard would want to provide free health care," it said.

The Guardian

Join the Guardian Public Leaders Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.

The Guardian

However, the proposal may still put the UK at odds with the EU over restrictions on free movement of workers.

The Guardian

Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with the new free-to-downloadWhoScored iOS app Follow WhoScored on Twitter and Facebook Follow Guardian Football on Facebook.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "free" to mean without cost, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion with its other meanings, such as "unrestrained" or "liberated".

Common error

Avoid using "free" in contexts where its meaning could be ambiguous. For instance, instead of saying "the software is free", specify "the software is available for free" to clarify that it refers to cost rather than liberty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "free" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of cost, restriction, or obligation. As Ludwig AI states, it can also function as an adverb. Examples show it being used to describe things like "free health care" or "free movement".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "free" is a versatile adjective with multiple meanings, primarily denoting the absence of cost, restriction, or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its use as both an adjective and an adverb. With a "Very common" frequency, it appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While generally considered neutral, its meaning should be clarified in potentially ambiguous situations. Alternatives like ""at no cost"" or ""without charge"" can offer greater precision depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at no cost

Replaces the adjective "free" with a prepositional phrase emphasizing the absence of financial burden.

without charge

Emphasizes the lack of payment required, providing a formal alternative to "free".

costless

Directly emphasizes the lack of financial cost, similar to "at no cost" but in adjective form.

gratis

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for "free", indicating that something is provided without payment.

available for nothing

More emphatic, stresses that there is no expense incurred.

complimentary

Suggests that something is given as a courtesy or gift, rather than being generally available without cost.

unrestricted

Focuses on the absence of limitations or constraints, rather than the absence of cost.

unfettered

Highlights the lack of restraint or control, often used in contexts of liberty or movement.

without obligation

Shifts the focus from monetary cost to the absence of required duties or commitments.

unpaid

Focuses on the lack of payment in a different context, such as "unpaid leave".

FAQs

How can I use "free" in a sentence?

You can use "free" as an adjective to describe something that doesn't cost money, like "free shipping", or to describe something that is not restricted, like "free speech".

What's the difference between "free" and "complimentary"?

"Free" generally means without cost, while "complimentary" implies that something is given as a courtesy or gift. So, you might get a "complimentary breakfast" at a hotel, meaning it's provided as a perk.

What are some synonyms for "free" when referring to no cost?

Alternatives to "free" in the context of being without cost include "at no cost", "without charge", and "gratis".

Is it correct to say something is "free of charge"?

Yes, "free of charge" is a perfectly acceptable and common way to say that something is provided without any cost.