French word

libérer

Pronunciation

IPA/libeʁe/

Meaning

  • verbrelease

Example

Le gouvernement a libéré les prisonniers.

The government released the prisoners.

Illustration for libérer (release)

More examples

J'ai libéré de l'espace sur mon téléphone.

I freed up space on my phone.

Core concept

A restraint, blockage, or obligation falls away, leaving a person or thing free to move, act, or be used.

Common phrases

  • libérer quelqu'un

    free someone

  • se libérer de

    free oneself from

  • libérer de l'espace

    free up space

Similar words

relâcher: To ease a restraint or pressure that prevents free movement.
délivrer: To save someone from confinement or danger and take them to safety.
dégager: To clear an obstructed passage or area by removing what blocks it.
évacuer: To transfer people or things from a hazardous place to a safe one.

Definition in French

Enlever une entrave ou une obligation pour permettre la liberté d'action d'une personne ou d'une chose.

Word origin

French libérer comes from Latin liberare, formed from liber, meaning "free," and retains the sense of making someone or something free.

Usage tips

  • With a person as object, libérer quelqu'un de quelque chose means freeing someone from something, with de introducing the removed constraint.

Other meanings

  • freeverb
  • free upverb

Opposites

Related words

  • libérationliberationnoun
  • libéréfreedadjective
  • libérateurliberatingadjective

Word lists with this word