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What is the difference between free and gratis?

Free (or gratis) things can be very fun. You can get a free ice cream or a free toy. Let's say you get an entrance ticket for free to an amusement park with many rides such as roller coasters and carousels without having to pay anything for it. There is nothing wrong with that. That is fun! However, if you aren't allowed to ride the carousels or the roller coasters while you are in there, how fun is it, and how free are you?

Amusement parks are fun if you have the freedom to test the different rides.

The word “free” is a homonym. It has at least two different meanings. One meaning is that something is obtainable without payment (as in free ice cream). Another meaning is that you have the freedom to do certain things (as in free from imprisonment or slavery). Many languages have two separate words for “free” as in freedom and “free” as in zero price. For example, French has “libre” and “gratuit”.

When we talk about free software, we talk about free as in freedom, not as in gratis. You are allowed to both distribute copies of a free program for a fee or distribute it for free (as in gratis).