Main Entry:

loos·en

Pronunciation:

\ˈlü-s^ən\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

loos·ened; loos·en·ing \ˈlüs-niŋ, ˈlü-s^ən-iŋ\

Date:

14th century

transitive verb 1 : to release from restraint 2 : to make looser <loosened his tie> <loosen a screw> 3 : to relieve (the bowels) of constipation 4 : to cause or permit to become less strict —often used with up<loosened the rules> intransitive verb : to become loose or looser