duty-free

adjective or adverb

ˌdü-tē-ˈfrē How to pronounce duty-free (audio)
ˌdyü-
ˈd(y)ü-tē-ˌfrē
1
: without payment of customs duties : free from duties
imported duty-free
duty-free goods
2
: relating to or selling duty-free goods
a duty-free shop

Examples of duty-free in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This was despite news of improving business in Hainan, China’s duty-free shopping island. Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026 Lawmakers also renewed the HOPE/HELP duty-free trade preference program, though only for one year. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026 But Gatsby Africa’s insights from those on the ground show that Kenya’s grip on growth is tenuous and largely dependent upon the duty-free benefits afforded by the preference program. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Feb. 2026 The World Health Organization (WHO), headquartered in Geneva has locked horns with the duty-free industry for several years. Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duty-free

Word History

First Known Use

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of duty-free was in 1689

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Cite this Entry

“Duty-free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duty-free. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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