Definition

A person who steals or takes things by force, often in a violent or illegal way, especially at sea.

Example

The freebooter sailed the seas, searching for ships to plunder.

Conversation

Have you ever read about the life of a freebooter?

Yeah, they were basically pirates, right?

Exactly! I find their adventures so fascinating.

Me too! It's crazy how they lived.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Freebooter → It is formed from "free" (from Old English "freo", meaning not in bondage) and "booter" (from Dutch "boete", meaning to plunder or loot). The word refers to someone who takes advantage of freedom to engage in piracy or plundering.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'not in bondage' ('free') and who 'plunders' ('booter') — that's why a freebooter is someone who takes advantage of their freedom to loot.

Visually Confused Words