Libertine
/ˈlɪbərˌtiːn/
nounadjectiveC2
Definition
A libertine is someone who does not follow common moral rules, especially about love and sex. This person acts freely without caring about what society thinks is right or wrong. As an adjective, libertine describes actions or ideas that show this free and uncontrolled way of living.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A person who lives without moral or social rules, especially about sex
- •The famous writer was known as a libertine who enjoyed many affairs.
- •In the 18th century, some nobles lived as libertines, ignoring the strict social rules.
- •He was called a libertine because he did not marry but had many lovers.
Describing behavior or attitudes that are morally free or uncontrolled
- •She had a libertine attitude toward relationships, not caring about society’s opinions.
- •The novel describes libertine lifestyles of the rich and powerful.
- •His libertine ways shocked the conservative community.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "libertine" like "free" (A1 word) but in a stronger way, meaning free from moral rules, not just free to move or choose.
- ✓Picture someone at a party who does whatever they want without worrying about rules or what others think.
- ✓It's the feeling of doing something because you want, without feeling guilty or afraid of judgment.
- ✓Sounds like "LIB-ert-een" → imagine a "liberty" (freedom) queen or king who rules their own life without limits.
- ✓Think of stories or movies about people who live wild, free lives, ignoring social rules about behavior.
- ✓NOT like "free" (which can mean no cost or no limits in general), "libertine" means free specifically from moral or social control.
- ✓NOT like "rebel" (who fights against rules), a libertine simply ignores or does not care about moral rules, not always fighting them.
- ✓NOT like "carefree" (without worries), libertine focuses on freedom from moral or social limits, not just being happy or relaxed.
Try Other Words
- •Hedonist: a person who seeks pleasure as the most important thing (Use when focusing on pleasure, not necessarily moral freedom)
- •Rebel: someone who fights against rules or authority (Use when the person actively opposes rules rather than ignoring them)
- •Wild: behaving in a free and uncontrolled way (Use in informal contexts emphasizing energetic or uncontrolled behavior)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "liber-" (from Latin, meaning "free") + "-tine" (suffix forming nouns/adjectives)
- •Etymology: From Latin "libertinus," meaning a freed person or someone free from slavery or control
- •Historical development: Originally meant a freed slave in Roman times, later changed to mean someone free from moral or social rules, especially in the 17th-18th centuries
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in literature or formal speech to describe morally free or sexually free people or behaviors
- •Interesting fact: The word often appears in stories about historical figures known for wild, free lifestyles
Reflect & Connect
•How does being a libertine differ from simply being independent or free in your own life?
•Can society accept libertine behavior today, or is it still seen as shocking or wrong?
Fill in the blanks
1.A libertine often ignores ___ rules about relationships and behavior.
2.People called libertines usually have many ___ and do not follow social expectations.
3.Unlike a rebel, a libertine does not always fight rules but simply ___ them.
4.Someone with a libertine attitude may live ___ without worrying about judgment.
5.The novel described the ___ lifestyle of the main character, full of freedom and pleasure.
6.A libertine’s behavior is often seen as ___ by more traditional people.
7.When someone lives as a libertine, they focus on ___ rather than following moral limits.