loose Hear it!

loose Definition

loose (lo̵̅o̅s)

adjective loos′er, loos′·est

  1. not confined or restrained; free; unbound
  2. not put up in a special package, box, binding, etc. loose salt
  3. readily available; not put away under lock and key loose cash
  4. not firmly fastened down, on, or in a loose tooth, a loose wheel
  5. not taut; slack
  6. not tight; giving enough room loose clothing
  7. not compact or compactly constructed loose soil, a loose frame
  8. not restrained; irresponsible loose talk
  9. not precise or close; inexact a loose translation
  10. sexually immoral or promiscuous
    1. not strained or hard a loose cough
    2. moving freely or excessively loose bowels
  12. Informal relaxed; easy; unconstrained

Etymology: ME lous < ON lauss, akin to Ger los, OE leas: see -less

adverb loos′er, loos′·est

loosely; in a loose manner

transitive verb loosed, loos′·ing

  1. to make loose; specif.,
    1. to set free; unbind
    2. to make less tight
    3. to make less compact
    4. to free from restraint; make less rigid; relax
    5. to free from an obligation or responsibility; absolve
  2. to let fly; release to loose an arrow into the air

intransitive verb

to discharge a bullet, arrow, etc.; fire

loose Related Forms
loose′ly adverb loose′·ness noun
loose Idioms

break loose

  1. to free oneself by force
  2. to shake off restraint

cast loose

to untie or unfasten; become or set free

let loose (with)

to set free or give out; release

on the loose

  1. not confined or bound; free
  2. Informal having fun in a free, unrestrained manner

set loose

or turn loose

to make free; release

loose Synonyms

loose

modif.

  1. Unbound

    unfastened, undone, unsewed, untied, unpinned, insecure, unsecure, unsecured, unshackled, relaxed, unhasped, unattached, unconnected, disconnected, untethered, unfettered, uncaged, liberated, unbuttoned, unclasped, unhooked, slack, loosened, baggy, unconfined, unlatched, unlocked, unbolted, unscrewed, unhinged, worked free; see also free 3.

    Antonyms tight*, confined, bound.

  2. Movable

    unattached, free, wobbly; see movable.

  3. Vague

    disconnected, detached, random; see obscure 1, vague 2.

  4. Wanton

    unrestrained, dissolute, disreputable; see lewd 2.

break loose

free oneself, shake off restraint, flee; see escape.

cast loose

set free, untie, release; see free 1.

let loose (with)*

give out, come out with, issue; see release.

on the loose*

unconfined, unrestrained, wild; see free 2, 3.

set (<strong><em>or</em> </strong>turn) loose

set free, release, untie; see free 1.

loose Usage Examples

Object

  • volley: Trimus loosed a volley of magic missiles at the remaining zombies killing three of them.
  • sight: Our success at SBL has been based upon not loosing sight of the customer's desired purpose.
  • weight: This cycle of the disease, can be reduced by loosing weight, especially around the abdomen.
  • plot: Every time he begins to get close to someone he looses the plot and ends up breaking up with them.
  • lot: Thus avoiding having to carry cash and the threat of loosing a lot of money to pick pockets.
  • bond: On the one hand, Hooker says, people can " loose the bond of faith " .

Modifying Another Word

  • dangerously: On reaching the pitch, which looked dangerously loose at the top, I noticed that the draft was coming from higher up.
  • fairly: Moreover, because the pile is fairly loose, particles of dirt can easily be rinsed out.
  • slightly: Escaped Newlines: Slightly looser rules for escaped newlines.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • let: Letting cars loose on Central London's narrow streets was not really a viable long-term option.

Modifies a noun

  • ball: Sadly Thomas could not turn the loose ball toward the net.
  • cannon: A loose cannon that really forces you to adapt to its style!
  • clothing: Street clothes are OK, but you will find it easier to dance in loose clothing.
  • boulder: A tight pitch of 6m down between loose boulders enters a small room.
  • stool: If you are drinking a lot of lager then you may have symptoms of loose stools in the morning.
  • confederation: This should take the form of an Integrated Program rather than a loose confederation.

Used with adjective complement

  • hang: Hung loose from the universal joint to the base of the mast.
  • break: In her surprise, Bev drops the diamonds and all hell breaks loose.
  • let: One hour ago the daily thunderstorm let loose deluging everything with tropical rain.
  • wear: Comfortable clothing ( inc. waterproofs ) Wear loose, comfortable trousers or shorts ( not jeans ).
loose Quotes

'Fore heaven, I wonder at the desperate valour Of the bold English, that they dare let loose Their wives to all encounters!

—Jonson, Ben

To be loose with grammar is to be loose with the worst woman in the world.

—Edwards, Otis C(arl),Jr