loosen

verb

loos·​en ˈlü-sᵊn 

loosened; loosening ˈlü-sᵊn-iŋ 

ˈlüs-niŋ

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

Synonyms

• ease
• relax
• slack
• slacken

Examples of loosen in a Sentence

He used a spade to loosen the soil.

She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan.

After eating so much I had to loosen my belt.

When the meeting was over he loosened his tie.

One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened.

Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior.

Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere.

Recent Examples on the Web

Artificial implants naturally wear out or loosen with time and activity. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 27 June 2025

The challenges were steep enough that Georgia has decided to loosen its work verification protocols from monthly to once a year. —ProPublica, 26 June 2025

Microwave for about 30 seconds and stir in order to loosen before using in ice cream. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025

At the same time as the psilocybin policy change was announced, New Zealand announced plans to loosen restrictions on melatonin, which is used to treat insomnia and is sold over the counter in many other places. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing loosen

• loosen one's collar
• loosen one's grip/hold
• loosen someone's tongue
• loosen the purse strings
• loosen up

Rhymes for loosen

• brucine
• mucin

Kids Definition

loosen

verb

loos·​en ˈlüs-ᵊn 

loosened; loosening ˈlüs-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to set free

2

: to make or become loose or looser

3

: to cause or permit to become less strict

loosened the rules