loophole

¹loop·hole

noun \ˈlüp-ˌhōl\

Definition of LOOPHOLE

1

a : a small opening through which small arms may be fired

b : a similar opening to admit light and air or to permit observation

2

: a means of escape; especially : an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded

Examples of LOOPHOLE

1. She took advantage of a loophole in the tax law.
2. His attorney has been hunting for a loophole that would allow him to get out of the deal.
3. tried to close a loophole in the new legislation

Origin of LOOPHOLE

¹loop

First Known Use: 1591

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with LOOPHOLE

airhole, armhole, atoll, bankroll, beadroll, bedroll, black hole, blackpoll, blowhole, borehole, bunghole, cajole, catchpole, charcoal, chuckhole, condole, console, control, creole, Creole, dipole, drumroll, dry hole, Dutch roll, egg roll, enroll, ensoul, extol, eyehole, field goal, fishbowl, flagpole, foxhole, funk hole, hard coal, half sole, heart-whole, hellhole, Huichol, inscroll, insole, in whole, keyhole, kneehole, knothole, leaf roll, logroll, manhole, maypole, midsole, Mongol, outsole, parole, patrol, payroll, peephole, pesthole, pinhole, pistole, pitchpole, porthole, posthole, pothole, redpoll, ridgepole, Sheol, shot hole, sinkhole, ski pole, slipsole, snap roll, sotol, sound hole, spring roll, tadpole, taphole, thumbhole, top-hole, touchhole, unroll, washbowl, weep hole, white hole, wormhole

²loophole

transitive verb

Definition of LOOPHOLE

: to make loopholes in

First Known Use of LOOPHOLE

1664