What does libre in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word libre in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use libre in French.

The word libre in French means free, free, free, independent, vacant, unused, unoccupied, free, free, free of charge, without obligation, open, libertine, free, liberal, loose, unregulated, in the open air, loose adaptation, free association, auditor, have some free time, have free rein, be off duty, be on leave, have free time, self-service machine, external candidate, free rein, free fall, Cité Libre, other comments, free consent, optional contribution, coast, freewheel, free indirect speech, give free rein, give free rein to, run-off, water run-off, open water, open exhaust, independent school, free economy, liberal economy, free electron, free spirit, self-service, over-the-counter, free energy, free entry, area of free movement, free space, free spirit, free as a bird, free state, be in freefall, be in freefall, freewheel, coast, non-program student, French zone libre, French free zone, Free France, bachelor, single man, unmarried man, your own man, free man, free man, freedom fighter, revolutionary, the coast is clear, give free rein, give free rein to , give free rein, you're free to do, free access, Libre Antenne, free will, free will, free association, free movement, free movement of people and of goods, free as the wind, as free as the wind, free competition, free of charge, duty-free, tax-free, without obligation, pay as you feel, free thought, freethinker, free-thinker, freethinking, free-thinking, free trade, free trading, free trade advocate, free trade, self-service, shop, cash-and-carry, free software, freestyle wrestling, free market, over-the-counter medicine, the free world, freestyle, plain paper, unheaded paper, free diving, freediving, open pricing, free pricing, free programme, on leave, free radical, free radical, free radical, collection from self-service ticket machine, stand as an independent candidate, free indirect speech, on a separate sheet of paper, free time, spare time, loose translation, opinion column, living together, cohabiting, free variable, self-tour, open visit, open house, Live free or die, free-trade area, free-trade zone, unoccupied zone, free zone. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word libre

free

adjectif (indépendant)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les esclaves n'étaient pas libres.
The slaves were not free.

free

adjectif (qui peut agir à sa guise)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il est majeur et libre.
He is of age and free.

free, independent

adjectif (sans pression politique) (press)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La presse se revendique d'être libre.
The press demands its right to be independent.

vacant, unused, unoccupied

adjectif (qui n'est pas utilisé) (space)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il reste une place libre sur le parking.
There is still a vacant spot in the parking lot.

free

adjectif (personne : sans engagement)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Je suis libre mercredi midi : si tu veux, on peut déjeuner ensemble.
I'm free Wednesday lunchtime; if you like we can have lunch together.

free, free of charge

adjectif (gratuit)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
L'entrée du musée est libre le jeudi.
Entrance to the museum is free on Thursdays.

without obligation

adjectif (sans engagement)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La participation à ce concours est libre.
Participation in this competition is without obligation.

open

adjectif (sans gêne) (figurative)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il a toujours eu des conversations très libres avec son chef.
He had always had very open conversations with his boss.

libertine

adjectif (libertin, érotique)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Le Marquis de Sade a écrit beaucoup d'œuvres libres.
The Marquis de Sade wrote many libertine works.

free, liberal, loose

adjectif (personel) (adaptation, translation)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Ce film est une adaptation libre du roman éponyme.
This film is a loose adaptation of the eponymous novel.

unregulated

adjectif (non réglementé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Le prix des carburants est libre.
The price of fuel is unregulated.

in the open air

locution adverbiale (à l'extérieur, dehors)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

loose adaptation

nom féminin (interprétation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free association

(le patient doit s'exprimer librement) (psychology)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

auditor

([qqn] qui suit un cours librement) (US)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

have some free time

locution verbale (avoir du temps non occupé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have free rein

locution verbale (avoir la liberté d'action)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Pour ce projet, tu as le champ libre !

be off duty, be on leave

locution verbale (figuré (militaire : être autorisé à vaquer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have free time

locution verbale (être sans programme défini)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

self-service machine

nom féminin (borne d'encaissement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

external candidate

nom masculin (candidat n'ayant pas suivi de cours)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free rein

nom masculin (liberté d'action) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le directeur m'a laissé le champ libre cet après-midi.

free fall

nom féminin (saut dans les airs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Cité Libre

nom propre féminin (revue québécoise) (Quebec journal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

other comments

nom masculin (lycée : épreuve d'histoire)

free consent

nom masculin (libre acceptation de [qch])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

optional contribution

nom féminin (paiement à évaluer soi-même)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

coast

locution verbale (véhicule : descendre au point mort) (vehicle, driver)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Il descend la côté en roue libre pour économiser du carburant.
He coasted down the hill to save petrol.

freewheel

locution verbale (vélo : descendre sans pédaler) (bicycle)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Ce moyeu permet au cycliste de descendre en roue libre.
This wheel hub allows cyclists to freewheel down hills.

free indirect speech

nom masculin (discours indirect sans verbe introducteur)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

give free rein, give free rein to

locution verbale (laisser [qch] se passer librement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il a toujours donné libre cours à ses passions.

run-off, water run-off

nom féminin (eau de ruissellement) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les drains permettent de capter l'eau libre du sol.

open water

nom féminin (étendue naturelle) (lakes, sea, etc.)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il pratique la nage en eau libre.

open exhaust

nom masculin (tuyau de moteur sans silencieux) (engine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les mobylettes à échappement libre sont interdites.

independent school

nom féminin (établissement privé d'enseignement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free economy, liberal economy

nom féminin (théorie économique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free electron

nom masculin (particule d'atome)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free spirit

nom masculin (figuré (personne relativement libre d'action)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

self-service

locution adverbiale (disponible en libre service)

(noun as adjective: Describes another noun--for example, "boat race," "dogfood.")

over-the-counter

locution adjectivale (vendu sans besoin d'autorisation)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

free energy

nom féminin (type d'énergie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free entry

nom féminin (entrée gratuite) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le maire a promis aux habitants une entrée libre à l'événement.

area of free movement

nom masculin (aire sans restriction de passage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free space

nom masculin (zone de stockage non utilisée) (unused storage space)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free spirit

nom masculin (liberté d'esprit, de réflexion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free as a bird

nom masculin (situation sans contrainte)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Actuellement, je suis dans un état libre et sans contrainte, je peux aller où je veux et faire ce que je veux.

free state

nom masculin (État indépendant)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'État libre d'Orange est en Afrique du Sud.

be in freefall

locution verbale (figuré (diminuer, baisser fortement) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be in freefall

locution verbale (parachutisme : sauter d'un avion)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

freewheel

locution verbale (Cyclisme : ne pas pédaler)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

coast

locution verbale (figuré, familier (ne pas forcer) (figurative)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Maintenant que Benjamin sait qu'il a été admis dans l'école de son choix, il est en roue libre.

non-program student

(étudiant "à la carte") (US)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

French zone libre, French free zone

nom propre féminin (France non occupée) (World War II)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La France libre gouvernée par Vichy se trouvait dans le sud.

Free France

nom propre féminin (mouvement de résistance) (movement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le Général de Gaulle créa la France libre en 1940 depuis Londres.

bachelor, single man, unmarried man

nom masculin (célibataire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

your own man, free man

nom masculin ([qqn] sans attache) (referring to a specific man)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free man

nom masculin ([qqn] vivant en démocratie) (referring to a specific man)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

freedom fighter, revolutionary

nom masculin (anarchiste)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

the coast is clear

(il n'y a aucun obstacle)

give free rein

locution verbale (ne pas s'opposer à une envie) (to pursue ideas, dreams)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Pierre voulait faire des études pour être clown et ses parents lui ont laissé le champ libre. Maintenant que le beau Ricardo est parti à l'étranger, cela me laisse le champ libre avec la charmante Sabrina.

give free rein to , give free rein

locution verbale (ne pas brider [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
C'est la liberté de l'artiste que de laisser libre cours à sa fantaisie.

you're free to do

(tu peux faire [qch])

free access

nom masculin (accès non restreint)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Libre Antenne

nom propre féminin (émission de radio) (radio show)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Libre antenne est une émission de radio.

free will

nom masculin (capacité à penser par soi-même)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Son éducation familiale influait beaucoup sur son libre arbitre.

free will

nom masculin (capacité à faire ses propres choix)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette étudiante choisit le Canada par libre arbitre.

free association

nom féminin (convention de partenariat) (politics)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free movement

nom féminin (capacité à pouvoir aller où on veut)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free movement of people and of goods

nom féminin (droit de se déplacer) (rights)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La libre circulation des personnes et des biens est garantie dans l'espace européen.

free as the wind, as free as the wind

locution adjectivale (complètement libre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

free competition

nom féminin (concurrence non restreinte) (economics)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free of charge

locution adjectivale (contenu : sans droit à payer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ces images sont libres de droit.

duty-free, tax-free

locution adjectivale (sans taxe)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

without obligation

locution adjectivale (avec rien qui empêche)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

pay as you feel

nom féminin (participation laissée au libre choix)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

free thought

nom féminin (pensée affranchie de toute contrainte)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

freethinker, free-thinker

nom masculin (rationaliste)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le libre-penseur n'a foi qu'en sa raison.

freethinking, free-thinking

adjectif (rationaliste)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

free trade, free trading

nom masculin (système économique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cet homme politique est opposé au libre-échange.

free trade advocate

nom masculin (économiste libéral)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les libre-échangistes sont pour la circulation des biens sans taxe.

free trade

adjectif (relatif à l'économie libérale)

(noun as adjective: Describes another noun--for example, "boat race," "dogfood.")
Le marché unique européen est un espace libre-échangiste.

self-service

nom masculin (méthode de vente)

Les pompes à essence sont en libre-service.

shop

nom masculin (magasin) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Peux-tu aller chercher du vinaigre au libre-service en bas de chez nous ?

cash-and-carry

locution adjectivale (vente en gros) (wholesale)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

free software

nom masculin (logiciel libre de diffusion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

freestyle wrestling

nom féminin (sport de combat) (combat sport)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Nicolas fait de la lutte libre trois fois par semaine.

free market

nom masculin (marché boursier non règlementé) (commerce)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

over-the-counter medicine

nom masculin (médicament vendable sans prescription)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

the free world

nom masculin (monde non occupé) (politics)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

freestyle

nom féminin (nage laissée au choix)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La nage libre est le style de nage le moins réglementé, le crawl est utilisé par presque tous les nageurs.

plain paper, unheaded paper

nom masculin (feuille sans préformatage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free diving, freediving

nom féminin (plongée en apnée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La plongée libre est pratiquée par les chasseurs sous-marins.

open pricing, free pricing

nom masculin (prix non régenté par la loi)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free programme

nom masculin (Patinage artistique) (UK: skating)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

on leave

nom masculin (temps libre) (military)

free radical

nom masculin (Bhimie : radical) (Chemistry: usually plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free radical

nom masculin (biochimie : molécule, atome ou ion) (Biochemistry: usually plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

free radical

nom masculin (biologie : dérivé de l'oxygène) (Biology: usually plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

collection from self-service ticket machine

nom masculin (prise à partir d'une borne)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

stand as an independent candidate

(tenter un examen sans suivre de cours)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

free indirect speech

nom masculin (Grammaire : style de discours)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

on a separate sheet of paper

locution adverbiale (de façon manuscrite)

free time, spare time

nom masculin (loisir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Lors de ce voyage, un temps libre est accordé chaque après-midi.

loose translation

nom féminin (traduction personnelle)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

opinion column

nom féminin (expression publique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

living together, cohabiting

nom féminin (concubinage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Nous ne sommes pas mariés, mais en union libre.

free variable

nom féminin (informatique : variable référencée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Une variable libre est une notation qui spécifie à quelles places dans une expression mathématique une substitution peut avoir lieu.

self-tour, open visit, open house

nom féminin (visite gratuite)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Live free or die

(devise de résistance) (motto)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
« Vivre libre ou mourir » était le texte écrit sur des tracts de la France combattante en 1944.

free-trade area, free-trade zone

nom féminin (zone sans taxes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

unoccupied zone, free zone

nom féminin (France (39-45 : partie de la France non occupée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

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