freestyle
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: freestyles · freestyling · freestyled
Sense 1
A sports event where competitors can choose their own method of participation. — A swimming event in which the contestants may choose any stroke.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
A sports event where competitors can choose their own method of participation. — A swimming event in which the contestants may choose any stroke. — The swimming stroke commonly referred to as the front crawl or the Australian crawl.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
To improvise one's own style; to ad-lib.
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 4
To improvise one's dance moves; dance freely.
Verb
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “freestyle” mean?
A sports event where competitors can choose their own method of participation. — A swimming event in which the contestants may choose any stroke.
Is “freestyle” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.