Spanish word

liberar

Pronunciation

IPA/liβeˈɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbfree

Example

El bombero liberó a la persona atrapada.

The firefighter freed the trapped person.

Illustration for liberar (free)

More examples

Antes de instalar la aplicación, tienes que liberar espacio en el teléfono.

Before installing the app, you have to free up space on the phone.

Core concept

Person breaking chains and stepping forward.

Common phrases

  • liberar a alguien

    free someone

  • liberar espacio

    free up space

  • liberar de la culpa

    free from guilt

Similar words

soltar: Releases something being held by letting go or loosening a physical grip.
rescatar: Brings someone out of danger and secures their safety and freedom.
desatar: Unties knots or bindings by unfastening ties to set something free.
poner en libertad: Formally frees a person from custody or confinement through legal release.

Definition in Spanish

Quitar a una persona o cosa ataduras, cargas u obstáculos para dejarla libre; también liberar espacio o recursos para su uso.

Word origin

From Latin liber 'free' plus the verb-forming suffix -āre, producing liberāre and later Spanish liberar.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech soltar often replaces liberar for physically letting go, while liberar is used broadly for freeing people, removing obligations, or clearing space.

Other meanings

  • releaseverb
  • exemptverb
  • free upverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word