Main Entry:

¹loose

Pronunciation:

\ˈlüs\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

loos·er; loos·est

Etymology:

Middle English lous, from Old Norse lauss; akin to Old High German lōs loose — more at -less

Date:

13th century

1 a: not rigidly fastened or securely attached b (1): having worked partly free from attachments <a loose tooth> (2): having relative freedom of movement c: produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus <a loose cough> d: not tight-fitting2 a: free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation <a lion loose in the streets> <spend loose funds wisely> b: not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding carchaic : disconnected, detached3 a: not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement b: not solid : watery <loose stools>4 a: lacking in restraint or power of restraint <a loose tongue> b: lacking moral restraint : unchaste c: overactive ; specifically : marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools <loose bowels>5 a: not tightly drawn or stretched : slack b: being flexible or relaxed <stay loose>6 a: lacking in precision, exactness, or care <loose brushwork> <loose usage> b: permitting freedom of interpretation7: not in the possession of either of two competing teams <a loose ball> <a loose puck>

— loose·ly adverb

— loose·ness noun