free spirit

noun

plural free spirits

: a person who thinks and acts in an uninhibited way without worrying about normal social rules : nonconformist

Their daughter is a real free spirit.

Von der Becke thinks of himself now as a free spirit: a sort of drug-free, hard-working hippie.

—Tim Cahill

Here was a man of extraordinary sensitivity, political acumen, spiritual power, and sexual wildness; a free spirit if ever there was one.

—Alice Walker

free-spirited

ˈfrē-ˈspir-ə-təd 

adjective

Synonyms

• bohemian
• boho
• counterculturist
• deviant
• enfant terrible
• heretic
• iconoclast
• individualist
• lone ranger
• lone wolf
• loner
• maverick
• nonconformer
• nonconformist

Examples of free spirit in a Sentence

Their daughter is a real free spirit.

an artistically inclined free spirit who felt alienated and stifled while growing up in a small town

Recent Examples on the Web

Doku is a unique player in an unusual situation; a tireless, free spirit striving to find escape routes down the flanks in a heavily structured and — this season, at least — easily frustrateable side. —Thom Harris, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025

Aimee Lou Wood is Chelsea, his much-younger girlfriend, an upbeat free spirit eager to indulge in whatever the resort has to offer. —Noel Murray, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025

In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025

Olivia is more of a free spirit, and she’s made friends with the mayor of Montezara, Francesca (Violante Placido), who is beautiful, around Eric’s age and full of big plans for her little town. —Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above