liberalist
|li-ber-al-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˈlɪb(ə)rəlɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˈlɪb(ə)r(ə)lɪst/
supporter of liberalism
Etymology
'liberalist' originates from Modern English formation combining the adjective 'liberal' and the agentive suffix '-ist'; 'liberal' ultimately comes from Latin 'liberalis', where 'liber' meant 'free'.
'liberal' entered English via Old French from Latin 'liberalis', and in the 19th century the suffix '-ist' was added in English to form 'liberalist', denoting an adherent or advocate of liberalism.
Initially 'liberal' meant 'generous' or 'pertaining to freedom'; over time it shifted toward political and social senses of supporting individual liberty and reform, and 'liberalist' came to mean 'a supporter or advocate of liberalism'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who supports or advocates political liberalism — policies emphasizing individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and social reform.
She is a committed liberalist who campaigns for civil liberties and electoral reform.
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Noun 2
a person who favors broad-mindedness and tolerance in social or cultural matters; someone inclined toward reform or progressive ideas (used more generally than the political sense).
As a liberalist in matters of art and education, he welcomed experimentation and change.
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Last updated: 2025/11/02 12:38