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Synonyms

freewheeling

American  
[free-hwee-ling, -wee-] / ˈfriˈʰwi lɪŋ, -ˈwi- /

adjective

  1. operating in the manner of a freewheel.

  2. (of a person) moving about freely, independently, or irresponsibly.

  3. (of words, remarks, actions, etc.) unrestrained; irresponsible.

    Loose, freewheeling charges were traded during the argument.


freewheeling British  
/ ˌfriːˈwiːlɪŋ /

adjective

  1. relating to, operating as, or having a freewheel; coasting

  2. informal free of restraints; carefree or uninhibited

"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 freewheeling

First recorded in 1900–05; freewheel + -ing 2

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 once sneaked home a copy of Zane Grey’s classic Western, “Riders of the Purple Sage,” and envisioned his future as a type of freewheeling cowboy.

From The Wall Street Journal

But while her bubbly persona may at first make her seem simply freewheeling and free-spirited, she’s also savvy and thoughtful.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of Mr. Ireland’s best pages are about the ways the freewheeling Rivera broke Trotsky from his rigid writing schedule, getting him out of his study and onto the back of a horse.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet the bigger lesson of “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” is about resourcefulness and freewheeling imagination.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hong Kong was once known for its freewheeling media scene, a sharp contrast to tightly controlled mainland China.

From Barron's