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Synonyms

freelance

American  
[free-lans, -lans] / ˈfriˌlæns, -ˈlæns /
Or free-lance

adjective

  1. 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.

    a freelance writer;

    freelance copyediting.

verb (used without object)

freelanced, freelancing

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. freelancer.

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

freelance British  
/ ˈfriːˌlɑːns /

noun

    1. Also called: freelancer.  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

  2. a person, esp a politician, who supports several causes or parties without total commitment to any one

  3. (in medieval Europe) a mercenary soldier or adventurer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. as a freelance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of freelance

First recorded in 1810–20; free + lance 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He went on to freelance for clothing companies and start-ups before launching his own brand in 2021.

From BBC

Franks also works as a freelance creative consultant for various theatres, trying to help shows draw in more diverse audiences by allocating tickets to community groups.

From BBC

Miller is a freelance writer in Brooklyn who frequently writes about movies.

From Los Angeles Times

Quintero, who lacked the funds to finish college, struggles as a freelance audiovisual producer.

From Los Angeles Times

But the amount varies based on what gigs he brings in as a freelance content strategist.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.