also free-style, 1912, in swimming, in reference to a distance race in which the swimmers may use whatever stroke they choose; 1950 in general use, from free + style. The most common stroke is the front crawl, as this is generally the fastest. As an adjective, from 1957; as a verb, by 1970 (in martial arts).
free-range
free-soil
free-spirited
free-spoken
free-standing
freestyle
free-thinker
freeway
free-wheeling
freeze
freeze-dried