Definitions of liberal:

• noun:   a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
• noun:   a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
• adjective:   having political or social views favoring reform and progress
• adjective:   tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
• adjective:   showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

  Example: "A liberal newspaper"

• adjective:   not literal
• adjective:   given or giving freely

  Example: "A liberal backer of the arts"