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.

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freewheeling British  

/ ˌfriːˈwiːlɪŋ /

adjective

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

2. informal free of restraints; carefree or uninhibited

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Etymology

Origin of freewheeling

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

Example Sentences

It was into the post-noughties misogynist cesspool that the early feminist blogosphere was born, and initially, it was fun and freewheeling.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

He’s a master of both Andersonian acting styles: the freewheeling scamp and the scoundrel who speaks with a sniper’s precision.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

All hands on deck for the freewheeling, free-scoring French, the ultimate test in northern hemisphere rugby - if they can manage to get out of their tiny dressing room, that is.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

But aboard Old Nero, Roger quickly found that his freewheeling rowing style was more hindrance than help when it came to mastering the racing stroke that Tom Bolles and Al Ulbrickson taught in the 1930s.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• autonomous
• nonpartisan
• self-reliant
• self-sufficient
• separate
• sovereign