free agent

noun

1. a person who is self-determining and is not responsible for their actions to any authority.
2. a professional athlete who is not under contract and is free to auction off their services and sign a contract with the team that offers the most money.

free agent

noun

1. a person whose actions are not constrained by others

Other Words From

• free agency free agentry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of free agent¹

First recorded in 1840–50