freestyle

[ free-stahyl ]

noun

1. Swimming.
   1. a competition in which any of the standard strokes may be used, according to the swimmer's choice.
   2. the crawl.
2. Wrestling. a style of wrestling in which the contestants are permitted to trip, tackle, and use holds below the waist.
3. a sports performance or routine featuring relatively free, unrestricted movement, or intended to demonstrate an individual's special skills or style, such as in figure skating, gymnastics, surfing, or skateboarding.
4. 1. Also called freestyle rap,. a style of rap in which the topic, rhymes, and rhythm are improvised:

      Her first breakout rap album was all freestyle.

   2. a rap that is improvised throughout:

      He's known for his freestyles.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to perform a rap in which the topic, rhymes, and rhythms are improvised:

   Believe it or not, she’s freestyling all this.

freestyle

/ ˈfriːˌstaɪl /

noun

1. a competition or race, as in swimming, in which each participant may use a style of his or her choice instead of a specified style
2. 1. an amateur style of wrestling with an agreed set of rules
   2. Also calledall-in wrestling a style of professional wrestling with no internationally agreed set of rules
3. a series of acrobatics performed in skiing, etc
4. ( as modifier )

   a freestyle event

Other Words From

• free·styl·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of freestyle¹

First recorded in 1930–35; free + style

Example Sentences

It was not just individuals who stood out, with GB’s golden Sunday including mixed double sculls, mixed coxed four, mixed team sprint and mixed freestyle triumphs.

From BBC

But last week, after securing a second-place finish in the 50-meter freestyle S9 — and setting a world record in the process — Crossley shared that social media users and other Paralympians had questioned her disability.

From Salon

Tai followed up her 400m freestyle silver on Wednesday night with a storming swim over the shortest distance.

From BBC

All three women will return on Saturday for their respective individual freestyle competitions after qualifying by virtue of their top eight finishes in Tuesday’s events.

From BBC

"It gives me more confidence for my 200m freestyle, which is my main event."

From BBC

Related Words

• bathe
• crawl
• dive
• float
• glide
• paddle
• submerge
• wade