First Known Use: 1535
Dictionary
illiberal
adjective il·lib·er·al \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-b(ə-)rəl\
: not allowing people to think and act as they choose : not liberal
Full Definition of ILLIBERAL
: not liberal: as a archaic (1) : lacking a liberal education (2) : lacking culture and refinement b : not requiring the background of a liberal arts education <illiberal occupations> c archaic : not generous : stingy d : not broad-minded : bigoted <illiberal thinking> e : opposed to liberalism <illiberal tendencies>
— il·lib·er·al·i·ty \-ˌli-bə-ˈra-lə-tē\ noun
— il·lib·er·al·ly \-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb
— il·lib·er·al·ness \-b(ə-)rəl-nəs\ noun
See illiberal defined for English-language learners
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Origin of ILLIBERAL
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin illiberalis ignoble, stingy, from Latin in- + liberalis liberal
Related to ILLIBERAL
- Synonyms
- narrow, insular, Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded, parochial, petty, picayune, provincial, sectarian, small, small-minded
- Antonyms
- broad-minded, catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal, open, open-minded, receptive, tolerant
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