freelance

1 of 3

adjective

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

freelance adverb

freelance

2 of 3

verb

freelanced; freelancing; freelances

intransitive verb

: 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

transitive verb

: 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

freelance

3 of 3

noun

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

2

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

Examples of freelance in a Sentence

Adjective

I wrote a freelance article for a nature magazine.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Available in five colors Paula Lee is a freelance fashion editor, writer and brand consultant with over 12 years of experience covering the fashion, accessories and fine jewelry markets. —Paula Lee, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2024

The films that were asked to be withdrawn by the 300 filmmakers are not anti-Palestinian films in any way, quite the opposite… DEADLINE: Yet another petition that has had attention here is from freelance journalists who are unhappy about the lack of access to talent here and at other festivals. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2024

Verb

The company’s stock soared during the back half of 2020 and into the following year, as remote work during the pandemic spurred growth in the freelancing market. —Rohan Goswami, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2024

In the postwar decades, freelancing scrap metal collectors hauled explosives and other valuable wartime debris ashore to hawk on the metals market. —Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024

Noun

Getty Images Activist investor Engine Capital has a roughly 4% stake in freelance marketplace Upwork and is pushing for a shakeup to the company’s board. —Rohan Goswami, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2024

Mike Hutton is a freelance reporter and columnist for the Post-Tribune. —Mike Hutton, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

freelance

noun

ˈfrē-ˌlan(t)s

1

usually free lance : a knight whose services could be bought by any ruler or state

2

: a person who pursues a profession without being committed to work for one employer for a long time

a freelance writer

freelance

ˈfrē-ˌlan(t)s

adjective

freelance verb

freelancer

-ˌlan(t)-sər

noun