Freely
adverbIn a manner that is unrestricted, willing, or without limitation.
How to spell freely
6 letters · 2 syllables
How to pronounce freely
Say the part in capitals loudest.
What does freely mean?
- adverbIn a manner that is unrestricted, willing, or without limitation.
Freely in a sentence
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Customers can move freely between the two lounges.
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She spoke freely about the problems in the department.
Where does freely come from?
Language of origin: Germanic
This word is built on the native English adjective 'free', which descends from the Old English 'freo', meaning 'not enslaved, at liberty'. That root traces back to a Proto-Germanic source 'frijaz' and ultimately to an ancient idea of being 'dear' or 'beloved', because in early Germanic households the free members were the loved kin rather than the captives or servants. The same root surprisingly underlies the word 'friend', since a friend was literally one who is dear to you. The adverb form was made by adding the common Old English suffix '-lice', which softened over the centuries into the modern '-ly' we attach to so many words. By the time of Middle English, 'freely' was already in steady use meaning 'without restraint' or 'willingly', and its plain spelling (free plus ly) has stayed remarkably stable.
How the word is built
- free (from Old English freo: not in bondage, unrestrained)
- -ly (adverb suffix)
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