free-handed

[ free-han-did ]

adjective

1. generous; liberal.
2. freehand.

adverb

1. freehand.

free-handed

adjective

1. generous or liberal; unstinting

Derived Forms

• ˌfree-ˈhandedly, adverb
• ˌfree-ˈhandedness, noun

Other Words From

• free-handed·ly adverb
• free-handed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of free-handed¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

Perhaps more fitting was a short note from one of the younger monks in the monastery: “Gentle, free-handed, and kindly....Flowers he loved.”

From Literature

And in putting its own spin on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale that inspired it, the picture set the template for Disney’s free-handed approach to long-codified source material, its willingness to embellish works by Charles Perrault and Hans Christian Andersen in ways that have come to be seen as definitive.

From Los Angeles Times

The free-handed use of warming spice, the liberal use of sweetness in savoury dishes, the overflowing flavours.

From The Guardian

Mr Trump and Democrats have both suggested trillion-dollar infrastructure plans; congressional Republicans are less free-handed with the public purse.

From Economist

Those pickup artists are a lot more free-handed about their voting habits and political enthusiasms, David Futrelle of the blog We Hunted the Mammoth told me.

From Salon