freewheeling

[ free-hwee-ling, -wee- ]

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

/ ˌfriːˈwiːlɪŋ /

adjective

1. relating to, operating as, or having a freewheel; coasting
2. informal.
   free of restraints; carefree or uninhibited

Word History and Origins

Origin of freewheeling¹

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

Example Sentences

But the Grammys love a freewheeling veteran updating jazz traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

Christopher cites the freewheeling nature of the ’50s folk scene as a large influence on his father’s art, which had the sort of bold colors and intricate, line-heavy work one sees in a tattoo parlor.

From Los Angeles Times

In the case of the freewheeling “Anora,” written and directed by Sean Baker, who with movies like “The Florida Project” and “Tangerine” has shown an acute understanding of what it means to be down and out, our Cinderella happens to be a stripper living in Brooklyn and her Prince Charming is the privileged son of a Russian oligarch, a young man possessing wealth and expert knowledge as to where to score the best ketamine in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times

Empowered by his own hubris, Trump builds and borrows and beds with impunity — all with a freewheeling sense of gleeful combativeness.

From Los Angeles Times

This was a monumental humiliation for Celtic, a team that once again fell into the trap of believing that just because you can play freewheeling football against St Johnstone in Perth on a Saturday means that you can try to do the same against Borussia in Dortmund on a Tuesday.

From BBC

Related Words

• autonomous
• nonpartisan
• self-contained
• self-governing
• self-reliant
• self-sufficient