1 a [more liberal; most liberal] : believing that government should be active in supporting social and political change : relating to or supporting political liberalism
▪ a leading liberal thinker ▪ liberal politicians/policies ▪ She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican. — compare ¹conservative
b Liberal Brit : of or belonging to the liberal political party in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom
▪ Liberal voters/policies 2 [more liberal; most liberal] : not opposed to new ideas or ways of behaving that are not traditional or widely accepted
▪ She has a liberal attitude toward sex. — compare ¹conservative 3 [more liberal; most liberal] a : generous to others : giving time, money, etc., freely to other people — often + with ▪ She has always been liberal with her donations.
b : very large in amount
▪ He made a very liberal donation to the museum. ▪ a cook who uses a liberal quantity of spices [=who uses a large amount of spices] 4 [more liberal; most liberal] : not strict or exact
▪ a fairly liberal [=loose] interpretation of the law 5 somewhat formal : involving or relating to studies that are intended to give you general knowledge rather than to develop specific skills : relating to the liberal arts
▪ He received a liberal education.