free-thinker
|free/think/er|
🇺🇸
/ˈfriːˌθɪŋkər/
🇬🇧
/ˈfriːˌθɪŋkə/
independent thinker
Etymology
'free-thinker' originates from the English words 'free' and 'thinker', where 'free' meant 'not under the control of another' and 'thinker' referred to 'a person who thinks'.
'free-thinker' was first used in the 17th century to describe those who rejected traditional religious beliefs.
Initially, it meant 'someone who thinks independently', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who forms their own opinions about important subjects (such as religion or politics) rather than accepting what others say.
As a free-thinker, she often challenged the traditional beliefs of her community.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/04 13:21