pro-liberal(ly)
|pro-li-ber-al|
🇺🇸
/proʊˈlɪbərəl/
🇬🇧
/prəʊˈlɪb(ə)rəl/
(pro-liberal)
for liberalism
Etymology
'pro-' originates from Latin 'pro' meaning 'for' or 'in front of'; 'liberal' originates from Latin 'liberalis' (from 'liber') meaning 'free' or 'generous'.
'liberal' passed into Old French as 'liberal' and into Middle English as 'liberal', later taking on political senses in the 18th-19th centuries; 'pro-' has long been used as a productive prefix in English to mean 'in favor of' or 'supporting', producing compounds such as 'pro-liberal'.
Initially, 'liberal' meant 'free' or 'generous'; over time it developed political senses relating to individual freedom and reform, and 'pro-liberal' came to mean 'in favor of liberal political positions'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who supports liberal policies or the liberal movement (used as a label for supporters).
The pro-liberals organized a rally for voting rights.
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Adjective 1
favoring or supportive of liberal policies, ideas, or political positions (politically left-leaning).
The candidate took a pro-liberal stance on social welfare reform.
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Adverb 1
in a manner that favors liberal ideas or policies.
The party acted pro-liberally on issues of civil rights.
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Last updated: 2025/11/02 13:34