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loosen definition

loosen (lo̵̅o̅s′ən)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become loose or looser; specif.,
  1. to free from confinement or restraint; unbind, unfasten, etc.
  2. to make less taut, less compact, etc.

Related Forms:

loosen Idioms

loosen up

☆ Informal
  1. to talk freely
  2. to give money generously
  3. to relax

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

loosen Synonyms

loosen

v.

  1. To make loose

    extricate, release, unfix; see free 1.

  2. To become loose

    relax, slacken, work loose, work free, go slack, break up, let go, become unfastened, become undone, become unstuck*.

    Antonyms tighten*, tighten up, become rigid.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

loosen Usage Examples

Object

  • phlegm: Medication is available that can: widen the respiratory passages fight lung infections loosen phlegm relieve anxiety relieve pain.

Preposition: over

  • time: As a maintenance note, it's worth checking that these locking screws are secure - they can loosen over time.

Modifying Another Word

  • gently: Then gently loosen all around it with a fork.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • up: He suggests they loosen up with a spot of golf.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • up: The ambition is to loosen up such trading from 2005.

Particle object: up_obj

  • muscle: It may be just what you need to help loosen up those tight muscles.

Preposition: of

  • tooth: Pain, abscess, and loosening of the teeth do not occur until the disease is advanced.
loosen usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"loosen." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/loosen>

APA Style

loosen. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/loosen

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