librement

Librement is a French adverb meaning “freely” or “without constraint.” It describes actions, expressions, or movements performed with ease or without strict limitation. The term is common in literary, journalistic, and academic contexts, and is also used in music and theatre to indicate a loose, unconstrained style.

Etymology and form: The adverb librement is formed from the adjective libre, “free,” with the derivational suffix -ment. It is the standard way to express “freely” in French; it is typically used in combination with verbs to modify manner.

Usage: In literature, librement conveys spontaneity and naturalness of expression. In music and performing arts, it denotes tempo or phrasing without strict adherence to measures. In everyday speech, it can soften statements or describe unconstrained behavior: “Elle parle librement de ses opinions” or “Le musicien joue librement, sans tempo imposé.”

Related terms: The related noun is liberté, meaning freedom. The adjective libre describes something that is free or unrestricted. The adverbial form is most common in formal or literary styles and may be less frequent in casual speech, where paraphrasing with “de manière libre” is sometimes preferred.