Etymologically
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freedom

Etymology and origin of the English word freedom

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
c. 888
From
Old English frēodōm via Middle English

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈfriː.dəm/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English fredom,[2] inherited from Old English frēodōm (“power of self-determination, free will; emancipation, deliverance”),[3][2] from frēo, the source of free, and -dōm, the source of -dom.[3][2][4] Old Frisian fridom, Dutch vrijdom and Middle Low German vridom are similar formations.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The power of self-determination, free will: about 888.[5][3] Emancipation from slavery is also Old English.[3][4]

Semantic evolution

Figurative liberation from the bondage of sin is from about 1050,[5] and exemption or release from slavery or imprisonment, personal liberty, from about 1230.[5] Exemption from arbitrary or despotic control, civil liberty and independence, is from the late 14th century (1375).[3][5] In Middle English freedom also meant nobility of character, generosity, now obsolete.[5] Liberty of action without hindrance is from about 1400,[5] and the possession of particular privileges, as in the freedom of a city, from the 1570s.[3] Freedom fighter is by 1903, first with reference to Cuba,[3] and Franklin D. Roosevelt's four freedoms are from 1941.[5]

Timeline

  • c. 888 – free will.[5]
  • c. 1050 – liberation from sin.[5]
  • c. 1230 – release from slavery; personal liberty.[5]
  • 1375 – civil liberty, independence.[5]
  • c. 1400 – liberty of action.[5]
  • 1570s – the freedom of a city.[3]
  • 1903 – freedom fighter.[3]
  • 1941 – the four freedoms.[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. The condition of being free of restraints; the power to act, speak or think as one wants.
  2. Release from slavery, imprisonment or oppression; personal liberty.
  3. Political independence; the possession of civil rights.
  4. Exemption from something unpleasant: freedom from fear.
  5. A special privilege, such as honorary citizenship: the freedom of the city.
  6. Ease or frankness of manner; excessive familiarity.

Word family

  • nonfreedom
  • overfreedom
  • degree of freedom
  • freedom fighter
  • freedom march
  • freedom ride
  • freedom rider

Usage notes

Freedom is the most general word for the power to act without restraint.[6] Liberty often suggests release from a previous restraint or a right granted, and license freedom that is abused or used irresponsibly.[6]

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin

Related etymologies

  • husband · also from Old English
  • small · also from Old English
  • head · also from Old English
  • water · also from Old English
  • far · also from Old English
  • yes · also from Old English
  • side · also from Old English
  • thank · also from Old English
Cite this entry

“Freedom.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/freedom. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·