free-riding
|free-rid-ing|
/ˌfriːˈraɪdɪŋ/
(free-ride)
benefit without paying or contributing
Etymology
'free-riding' originates from English, specifically the compound 'free ride' formed from 'free' + 'ride', where 'free' meant 'without cost' and 'ride' meant 'a journey or conveyance.'
'Free ride' originally described a literal ride given without payment (recorded from the 19th century); the verb and noun senses meaning to take advantage without contributing developed later in idiomatic and economic usage, producing the compound forms 'free-ride' and 'free-riding.'
Initially it meant 'a ride given without payment' or 'a literal unpaid ride,' but over time it evolved into the current broader meaning 'to obtain benefits or use resources without contributing or paying.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or practice of benefiting from goods, services, or efforts of others without paying or contributing to the cost (especially a problem with public goods or collective action).
Free-riding on public goods can cause underprovision of those goods.
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Verb 1
to take advantage of a service, resource, or effort without paying or contributing; to freeload.
Some members free-ride on the work of volunteers by enjoying services without helping.
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Adjective 1
describing behavior or a person characterized by benefiting without contributing (used before a noun).
Free-riding employees hurt team morale and fairness.
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Last updated: 2025/12/28 07:41