freely
UK: ˈfriːli | US: ˈfriːli
adv. without restriction or control
adv. in a generous or open-handed manner
adv. without charge or payment
The word "freely" combines the Old English root "frēo" (meaning "free, exempt from, not in bondage") with the adverbial suffix "-ly," which derives from Old English "-līce." The suffix "-ly" was originally used to form adjectives but later evolved to create adverbs. The core concept of "free" has remained consistent, referring to absence of constraints, while "-ly" standardizes its grammatical function as an adverb. This pairing reflects a straightforward morphological evolution from Old English to Modern English.
Birds fly freely in the open sky.
She gave freely to charity without expecting recognition.
The software is freely available for download.
He spoke freely about his experiences.
Children played freely in the park.