liberty

The state of being free from prison, slavery, or another person’s control.

• The prisoners finally regained their liberty.
• No one should lose their liberty without a fair trial.
• She fought for the liberty of enslaved people.

Similar words: freedom

Opposites: captivity

Common phrases: personal liberty, deprive of liberty, regain liberty

The freedom to choose what you do.

• You are at liberty to leave.
• The editor gave her liberty to choose the topic.
• Do students have the liberty to question these rules?

How to use it: at liberty to do something (You are at liberty to refuse.); liberty to do something (We have the liberty to set our own hours.)

Similar words: freedom

Common phrases: liberty to choose, at liberty, give someone liberty

An action that is too familiar or goes beyond what someone has allowed.

• Touching her hair was an unwelcome liberty.
• He took liberties with strangers and made them uncomfortable.
• You took a liberty when you opened my private letters.

How to use it: take liberties with someone (He took liberties with the guests, asking deeply personal questions.)

Similar words: presumption

Common phrases: take a liberty, unwelcome liberty

Time when a sailor has permission to leave the ship and go on land.

• The sailors were granted liberty.
• Our liberty ended at midnight.
• The crew enjoyed a day of liberty ashore.

Similar words: shore leave

Common phrases: on liberty, grant liberty, liberty ashore