liberal

liberal

I

lib‧e‧ral¹ W2 AC /ˈlɪbərəl/ adjective1. willing to understand and respect other people’s ideas, opinions, and feelings:
    a more liberal attitude towards sexuality
    I had quite liberal parents.
2. supporting or allowing gradual political and social changes
   OPP  conservative:
    a more liberal policy on issues of crime and punishment
3. allowing people or organizations a lot of political or economic freedom
    liberal state/society/democracy etc
4. generous or given in large amounts:
    a liberal supply of drinks
    liberal with
    If only they were as liberal with their cash. ⇨ liberally
5. not exact:
    a liberal interpretation of the original play
6. liberal education a kind of education which encourages you to develop a large range of interests and knowledge and respect for other people’s opinions

II

liberal² AC noun [countable]someone with liberal opinions or principles
   OPP  conservative
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ right-wing adjective a right-wing person or group wants low taxes, a strong army and police force, and the individual to be free from government interference as much as possible: right-wing political parties | Some of his supporters are very right-wing. | right-wing policies on gun control
   ▪ left-wing adjective a left-wing person or group wants the government to make society more equal by increasing taxes for rich people, and taking control of important industries and services: a left-wing newspaper | His views are very left-wing.
   ▪ green adjective [usually before noun] supporting policies and principles which will protect the environment: green politicians | the Green Party | The government is under pressure to improve its green credentials (=to seem more like it wants to protect the environment).
   ▪ radical adjective supporting political ideas that will involve great change: radical politicians | a radical economic reform programme
   ▪ liberal adjective supporting political ideas that will allow people to have greater freedom: They want the government to have a more liberal policy on drugs.
   ▪ moderate adjective having political opinions which are not extreme: People generally become more moderate as they get older. | The bill is supported by moderate Republicans.
   ▪ extreme adjective having political opinions which are considered to be very unreasonable by many people: His views on immigration are very extreme. | an extreme right-wing organization

Liberal
Liberal noun [countable]
someone who supports or belongs to the former Liberal Party in Britain or the Liberal Party in Canada
—Liberal adjective