Loose Definition

lo͝os
loosed, looser, looses, loosest, loosing
adjective
looser, loosest
Not confined or restrained; free; unbound.
Webster's New World
Moving freely; not contained in a special holder, package, binding, etc.
Loose salt, loose change in one's pocket.
Webster's New World
Not firmly fastened down, on, or in.
A loose tooth, a loose wheel.
Webster's New World
Readily available; not put away under lock and key.
Loose cash.
Webster's New World
Not taut; slack.
Webster's New World
adverb
Loosely; in a loose manner.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
loosed, looses, loosing
To let loose; release.
Loosed the dogs.
American Heritage
To make loose; loosen.
Webster's New World
To cast loose; detach.
Hikers loosing their packs at camp.
American Heritage
To let fly; release.
To loose an arrow into the air.
Webster's New World
To release pressure or obligation from; absolve.
Loosed her from the responsibility.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
noun
looses

(archery) The release of an arrow.

Wiktionary
(sports)
Wiktionary
Freedom from restraint.
Wiktionary
A letting go; discharge.
Wiktionary
interjection
(archery) Begin shooting; release your arrows.
Wiktionary
idiom
on the loose
  • At large; free.
  • Acting in an uninhibited fashion.
American Heritage
break loose
  • to free oneself by force
  • to shake off restraint
Webster's New World
cast loose
  • to untie or unfasten
  • to set free
Webster's New World
let loose (with)
  • to set free or give out; release
Webster's New World
on the loose
  • not confined or bound; free
  • having fun in a free, unrestrained manner
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Loose

Adjective

Base Form:
loose
Comparative:
looser
Superlative:
loosest

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Loose

Origin of Loose

  • Middle English louse, los from Old Norse lauss leu- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Old Norse lauss

    From Wiktionary

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