Work and business / B1

FREEL-ahns/ˈfriːlɑːns/

Freelance describes work paid per job, not a permanent contract: a freelance journalist; work freelance; go freelance. Freelancer is the person. Self-employed is wider (you may run a whole business). A contractor often has a longer paid contract. Do not write “a freelance” without a noun in careful exam English — say a freelancer or a freelance designer.

Meaning

Working for different organisations rather than as a permanent employee.

Examples

• “He works as a freelance designer for three different agencies.”
• “After redundancy she went freelance and invoiced two magazines a month.”
• “The BBC uses a mix of staff and freelance camera operators.”

Good to know

a freelance journalist / designer; work / go freelance. Person: freelancer. Wider: self-employed. Longer hire: contractor.

Near in meaning

self-employed

Topics

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