What does liberalise mean?
Liberalise means to make something less restrictive, especially by reducing state controls, easing regulations, or opening economic activity to wider participation. It is commonly applied to trade, markets, economies, and social institutions, as in “liberalise the economy.” The word can also describe a person becoming more tolerant or open-minded, though this use is less common and somewhat formal. In political discussion, liberalisation may imply increased freedom without necessarily implying the complete removal of regulation or public safeguards. The related adjective liberal describes openness to change, tolerance, and broad policy choices, while liberalism names the political philosophy associated with such principles. The verb is chiefly used in British and international English; the standard US spelling is liberalize.
To make a system, economy, or organization less restrictive by reducing controls or opening it to greater freedom.
"The new law liberalises access to the profession without removing the requirement for professional training."
Common in British, Irish, and international English; US usage normally employs the spelling liberalize.
To become more open, tolerant, or liberal in one's attitudes or outlook.
"Years of working abroad gradually liberalised his views on family life."
This less common sense is especially associated with British usage and can sound formal or literary.
A liberalised economy is one where the rules are looser, not one where the law is looser.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does liberalise come from?
Liberalise was formed in English from liberal and the suffix -ise, meaning “to make” or “to make something become.” The adjective liberal comes through French from Latin liberalis, originally meaning “of a free man” and later “generous, broad-minded, and politically free.” The suffix -ise ultimately derives from Greek -izein, “to make like,” and was widely used in English to form verbs expressing the bringing of something into a stated condition.
Related word forms
How liberalise is actually used
Most often used in political, economic, or social contexts. It is especially common in British English and formal or journalistic writing; the US usually spells it liberalize. In its broader sense of becoming more open-minded, it can sound slightly formal or dated.
Easily confused with liberalise
To liberalise something is to make it less restrictive, whereas to legalise something is to make it lawful.
Liberalise usually refers to reducing restrictions on an activity or system, while liberate means to free someone or something from confinement or oppression.