The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word OPENNESS
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The straight part
We know that "being free?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case being free? = openness.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does OPENNESS mean?
OPENNESS noun- Accommodating attitude or opinion, as in receptivity to new ideas, behaviors, cultures, peoples, environments, experiences, etc., different from the familiar, conventional, traditional, or one's own.
- The degree to which a person, group, organization, institution, or society exhibits this liberal attitude or opinion.
- Lack of secrecy; candour, transparency.
- Degree of accessibility to view, use, and modify in a shared environment with legal rights generally held in common and preventing proprietary restrictions on the right of others to continue viewing, using, modifying and sharing.
- (systems theory) The degree to which a system operates with distinct boundaries across which exchange occurs capable of inducing change in the system while maintaining the boundaries themselves.