free of
free of — adjective
1. used to say that something does not contain a substance, quality, or element tha
used to say that something does not contain a substance, quality, or element that is harmful, unpleasant, or not wanted. The noun that follows names the thing that is absent.
The Watanabe family checked that their drinking water was free of harmful chemicals.
free of + noun phrase (harmful chemicals)
Dr. Okafor's report was refreshingly free of technical jargon.
free of + abstract noun (jargon)
The resort promised guests a beach free of litter and plastic waste.
Parents looked for a sunscreen that was free of harsh chemicals.
After two years of saving, the Kim family was finally free of credit card debt.
free of + abstract noun (debt) for figurative absence
- free of charge
- free of debt
- free of contaminants
- free of errors
- free of pain
- full of
direct opposite; indicates presence rather than absence
- containing
neutral opposite; states what is inside
Grammar Patterns
free of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Commonly followed by a noun referring to contaminants, defects, negative qualities, or unwanted elements. Frequent in product descriptions, environmental statements, and formal reports. The closely related phrase 'free from' is also used but 'free of' is more common for physical substances.
Common Mistakes
2. no longer physically connected, attached, or fixed to something; separate from a
no longer physically connected, attached, or fixed to something; separate from a surface, object, or structure that it was previously joined to.
The old wooden gate finally swung free of its hinges after years of rust.
verb (swung) + free of + noun (hinges)
A young cyclist managed to work the chain free of the tangled gear mechanism.
verb phrase (work free of) + noun phrase
A broken roof tile came free of its fastenings during the storm and hit the ground below.
verb (came) + free of + noun (fastenings) for physical detachment
The drowning man struggled to pull his leg free of the underwater roots.
verb (pull) + free of + noun phrase (physical entanglement)
A gust of wind tore the sail free of the mast, sending the boat drifting.
- break free of
- pull free of
- work free of
- come free of
- swing free of
- clear of
emphasises moving out of contact or danger; 'clear of the rocks'
- separate from
more general; does not imply previous attachment
- detached from
more formal; suggests deliberate removal
- attached to
direct opposite; physically connected or joined
- stuck to
implies difficulty of separation
Grammar Patterns
[verb] + free of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often paired with verbs that describe movement away from something: 'break free of', 'pull free of', 'wrench free of', 'come free of'. The phrase usually follows the verb rather than preceding it. This sense expresses physical separation only, not figurative release from an obligation (which uses 'free from').