freelance
/ˈfriːlɑːns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfriːlæns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfrē-ˌlan(t)s/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfriː.lɑːns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfriː.læns/ (ame, ipa)
freelance — adjective
- freelancepositive
- more freelancecomparative
- most freelancesuperlative
1. describes work or a working arrangement where a person takes on projects from va
describes work or a working arrangement where a person takes on projects from various clients or companies for limited periods, instead of being a permanent employee of a single organization.
After three years at the newspaper, Wren became a freelance journalist covering local politics.
attributive: freelance + [job role]
The design agency hires freelance illustrators when its full-time team is overloaded.
Yael earns extra money by doing freelance translation work for a legal firm in Taipei.
Many software companies now prefer freelance developers for short projects rather than hiring permanent staff.
- self-employed
broader — includes business owners who are not necessarily project-based
- independent
softer, less formal; can describe any non-employee arrangement
文法句型
freelance + noun (job role)
freelance + noun (type of work)
用法筆記
Typically used before a noun that names a profession (freelance designer) or a type of work (freelance projects). Can also function as an adverb: 'She works freelance.'
freelance — noun
- freelancesingular
- freelancesplural
1. a person who sells their skills or services to multiple clients or companies on
a person who sells their skills or services to multiple clients or companies on a project-by-project basis, without being bound by a long-term employment contract to any one of them.
As a freelancer, Ishaan chooses which projects to accept and sets his own deadlines.
pattern: as a freelancer
The conference brought together freelancers from the publishing, tech, and design sectors.
plural form: freelancers
Élise has worked as a freelancer since leaving the marketing firm in 2021.
Freelancers often handle their own taxes, health insurance, and retirement savings without employer support.
- freelancer
the more common noun form; preferred in everyday use
- independent contractor
more formal and legal; implies a specific contractual agreement
- self-employed person
broader category that includes business owners
- employee
a person hired under a permanent employment contract with one organization
- permanent staff
employees who are on the regular payroll of one company
文法句型
work as a freelancer
freelancer + verb (singular/plural)
用法筆記
The form 'freelancer' is far more common than 'freelance' as a noun in modern English. Use 'freelancer' in most situations unless the context is very informal.
常見錯誤
freelance — verb
- freelancepresent simple I / you / we / they
- freelances3rd person singular
- freelancing-ing form
- freelancedpast simple
1. to earn money by taking on short-term tasks or projects from different clients o
to earn money by taking on short-term tasks or projects from different clients or companies, rather than being a salaried employee of a single organization.
Selim freelances for three design studios across Europe and Japan.
pattern: freelance for [organization]
After the pandemic, many office workers began to freelance from their home offices.
Putri has been freelancing as a food photographer for wedding magazines since 2022.
Felix decided to freelance instead of accepting the full-time teaching position at the university.
Anthony freelanced for several years before launching his own digital marketing agency.
- work independently
broader; can describe any non-supervised work, not just project-based
- consult
implies expert advice role, usually at a higher level and rate
- be employed
to work under a permanent contract for one organization
- work full-time
to hold a standard salaried position
文法句型
freelance + for + [organization]
freelance + as + [role]
用法筆記
Almost always used intransitively. The object of the client or role is introduced by a preposition: 'freelance for a company' or 'freelance as a consultant.' Passive constructions are rare.