free·lance
ˈfrē-ˌlan(t)s 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a freelancer : independent
a freelance writer/photographer
freelance careers
working on a freelance basis
b
: done by a freelancer
freelance writing/photography
2
: not sponsored by or affiliated with an organization or authority
a freelance army
The Seoul government reacted sternly to [Sun Myung] Moon's freelance diplomacy, accusing him of "causing a split in national opinion."—
Paul Blustein
Paul Blustein
freelance
adverb
freelanced; freelancing; freelances
: to act or work as a freelancer
She freelances for a local newspaper.
… after graduating from the Philadelphia College of Art, he [John Mecray] freelanced as an illustrator and taught drawing classes at his alma mater.—Nautical World
Nautical World
: to produce as a freelancer
For a while, as he looked about for another book subject, Mr. [Tracy] Kidder freelanced articles for the Atlantic Monthly magazine.—Edwin McDowell
Edwin McDowell
plural freelances
1
: a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer : freelancer
… the 42-year-old writer, who is now working on a book about Evelyn Waugh and his circle, described himself as a full-time freelance.—Herbert Mitgang
Herbert Mitgang2
usually free lance plural free lances
a
: a mercenary soldier especially of the Middle Ages : condottiere
b
: a person who acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized by an organization (such as a political party)
ran for office as a political free lance
"Have you been making your addresses as a free lance or under the auspices of the Speakers' Bureau … ?" she was asked.—Edwin L. James
Edwin L. JamesExamples of freelance in a Sentence
Adjective
I wrote a freelance article for a nature magazine.
Recent Examples on the WebKevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024
Madison Lambert Madison Lambert is a freelance assignment editor at NBC News.
—Madison Lambert, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024
Justin Klawans, theweek, 3 July 2024
Arise is a technology platform that connects major companies with customer service agents who freelance on its platform.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 3 July 2024
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2024
Jake Parks is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in covering science news.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for freelance 
Adjective
The ruling is the latest in a tangle of court decisions over who may be treated as an independent contractor and who is an employee.
AB5 has spurred numerous legal challenges from freelance workers and trucking companies that so far have been unsuccessful.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024
Madison Lambert Madison Lambert is a freelance assignment editor at NBC News.
—Madison Lambert, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024
Verb
Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
—Justin Klawans, theweek, 3 July 2024
Arise is a technology platform that connects major companies with customer service agents who freelance on its platform.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 3 July 2024
Noun
And his training with Beck, a former Dolphins quarterback and 2007 second-round draft pick, hasn’t merely been a freelance effort, either.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2024
Jake Parks is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in covering science news.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for freelance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freelance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near freelance
Cite this Entry
“Freelance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freelance. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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