View synonyms for freelance

freelance

or free-lance

[ free-lans, -lans ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or relating to work conducted by a person who sells their services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer: Compare full-time ( def 2 ).
a freelance writer;
freelance copyediting.

verb (used without object)

freelanced, freelancing.

to sell services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer:
The illustrator used to be employed by us but is freelancing now.

verb (used with object)

freelanced, freelancing.

to produce, sell, or accomplish (something) while selling services by the hour, day, job, etc.:
Every so often I freelance a magazine article for some extra cash.

adverb

in the manner of one who sells services by the hour, day, job, etc., rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer:
She works freelance.

noun

freelancer ( def ).
a person who contends in a cause or in a succession of various causes, as they choose, without personal attachment or allegiance.

freelance

/ ˈfriːˌlɑːns /

noun

1. Also calledfreelancer a self-employed person, esp a writer or artist, who is not employed continuously but hired to do specific assignments
2. ( as modifier )
  a freelance journalist
a person, esp a politician, who supports several causes or parties without total commitment to any one
(in medieval Europe) a mercenary soldier or adventurer

verb

to work as a freelance on (an assignment, etc)

adverb

as a freelance

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Word History and Origins

Origin of freelance¹

First recorded in 1810–20; free + lance ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of freelance¹

C19 (in sense 3): later applied to politicians, writers, etc

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Example Sentences

Forest Service firefighter who now works as a freelance writer and EMT.

From Los Angeles Times

Or is Vance freelancing, already sketching out a role that will form the basis of an election campaign in three years' time when Trump will not be able to stand again?

From BBC

Emily resigned and made ends meet taking freelance work so that she could pick her hours.

From BBC

The author is a freelance writer and art critic.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1999, the then-Labour government introduced IR 35, a tax law which sought to class many self-employed freelance workers as employers, meaning they would have to pay National Insurance.

From BBC

Related Words

self-employed

free labour free lance

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