(~r, ~st, ~s, ~ing, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If something is ~, you can have it or use it without paying for it.
The seminars are ~, with lunch provided.
...a ~ brochure with details of gift vouchers.
~ of charge: see charge
ADJ
2.
Someone or something that is ~ is not restricted, controlled, or limited, for example by rules, customs, or other people.
The government will be ~ to pursue its economic policies...
The elections were ~ and fair...
Economists argued that ~r markets would quickly revive the region’s economy...
He fears that until state subsidies are removed, Russia will never have a truly ~ press...
Dogs were allowed to roam ~ and 48 sheep were killed.
ADJ: oft ADJ to-inf
~ly
They cast their votes ~ly and without coercion on election day...
Merchandise can now circulate ~ly among the EU countries.
ADV: ADV with v
3.
If you ~ someone of something that is unpleasant or restricting, you remove it from them.
The 30-year-old star is trying to ~ himself from his recording contract.
VERB: V n of/from n
4.
Someone who is ~ is no longer a prisoner or a slave.
More than ninety prisoners have been set ~ so far under a government amnesty.
ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ, ADJ after v
5.
To ~ a prisoner or a slave means to let them go or release them from prison.
Israel is set to ~ more Lebanese prisoners...
The act had a specific intent, to protect ~d slaves from white mobs.
VERB: V n, V-ed
6.
If someone or something is ~ of or ~ from an unpleasant thing, they do not have it or they are not affected by it.
...a future far more ~ of fear...
The filtration system provides the crew with clean air ~ from fumes.
ADJ: v-link ADJ of/from n
7.
A sum of money or type of goods that is ~ of tax or duty is one that you do not have to pay tax on.
ADJ: v-link ADJ of n
see also duty-~ , interest-~ , tax-~
8.
To ~ someone or something means to make them available for a task or function that they were previously not available for.
Toolbelts ~ both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers...
His deal with Disney will run out shortly, ~ing him to pursue his own project...
There were more civilians working for the police, ~ing officers from desk jobs.
VERB: V n, V n to-inf, V n from/of/for n
•
Free up means the same as ~ .
It can handle even the most complex graphic jobs, ~ing up your computer for other tasks.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P
9.
If you have a ~ period of time or are ~ at a particular time, you are not working or occupied then.
She spent her ~ time shopping...
I am always ~ at lunchtime.
ADJ
10.
If something such as a table or seat is ~, it is not being used or occupied by anyone, or is not reserved for anyone to use.
There was only one seat ~ on the train...
ADJ
11.
If you get something ~ or if it gets ~, it is no longer trapped by anything or attached to anything.
He pulled his arm ~, and strode for the door...
The shark was writhing around wildly, trying to get ~.
ADJ: v n ADJ, v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n
12.
If you ~ someone or something, you remove them from the place in which they have been trapped or become fixed.
It took firemen two hours to cut through the drive belt to ~ him...
VERB: V n
13.
When someone is using one hand or arm to hold or move something, their other hand or arm is referred to as their ~ one.
He snatched up the receiver and his ~ hand groped for the switch on the bedside lamp...
ADJ: ADJ n
14.
If you say that someone is ~ with something such as advice or money, you mean that they give a lot of it, sometimes when it is not wanted.
They weren’t always so ~ with their advice...
They would often be ~ with criticism, some of it unjustified.
ADJ: v-link ADJ with n disapproval
15.
You say ‘feel ~’ when you want to give someone permission to do something, in a very willing way. (INFORMAL)
If you have any questions at all, please feel ~ to ask me.
PHRASE: oft PHR to-inf formulae
16.
If you do something or get something for ~, you do it without being paid or get it without having to pay for it. (INFORMAL)
I wasn’t expecting you to do it for ~...
PHRASE: PHR after v
17.
to give someone a ~ hand: see hand