freely
UK /ˈfɹiːli/ · US /ˈfɹili/ adjective, adverb
Forms freelier freeliest frely
- adjective Free; frank.
- adjective Generous; noble; excellent; beautiful; lovely.
- adverb In a free manner. “Wine was flowing freely.”
- adverb Without interference or restriction. “talk freely”
- adverb Of one's own free will. “I will freely help you.”
Etymology
From Middle English frely, freelich, from Old English frēolīc (“free, freeborn, glorious, stately, magnificent, noble, beautiful, charming”), equivalent to free + -ly. Compare Middle Low German vrilik, vrigelik (“free”), Middle High German vrīlich (“free”).
From Middle English frely, freliche, from Old English frēolīċe (“freely, readily, as a festival”), equivalent to free + -ly. Compare Dutch vrijelijk (“freely”), German freilich (“certainly, of course”).
Webster’s 1913
- adverb In a free manner; without restraint or compulsion; abundantly; gratuitously.
Etymology [AS. freólice.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “freely”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details