Definition of loose
looser
;loosest
1a : not rigidly fastened or securely attached loose planks in a bridgeb (1) : having worked partly free from attachments a loose tooth (2) : having relative freedom of movementc : produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus a loose coughd : not tight-fitting loose clothing
2a : free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation a lion loose in the streets spend loose funds wiselyb : not brought together in a bundle, container, or bindingc archaic : disconnected, detached
3a : not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement loose soilb : not solid : watery loose stools
4a : lacking in restraint or power of restraint a loose tongueb : lacking moral restraint : unchastec : overactive; specifically : marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools loose bowels
5a : not tightly drawn or stretched : slack a loose beltb : being flexible or relaxed stay loose
6a : lacking in precision, exactness, or care loose brushwork loose usageb : permitting freedom of interpretation a loose construction of the Constitution
7 : not in the possession of either of two competing teams a loose ball a loose puck
loosely
adverblooseness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of loose in a Sentence
Some of the shingles on the roof were loose.
The rope was tied in a loose knot.
The nails had been pried loose.
Some of the shingles had come loose.
The boat came loose from its moorings and floated out into the harbor.
The ball popped loose from the shortstop's glove.
loose reins on a horse
She was wearing a loose dress.
The dog was wandering loose in the streets.
Recent Examples of loose from the Web
-
Soft-shell crab fills a loose interpretation of banh mi.
-
Into unsteady stacks Davian piled his clothes and a water jug filled with loose change.
-
Courtney Upshaw recovered the loose football for Alabama at the Texas 3-yard line with 3:02 left in the game, and the Tide rolled on to its first national title under coach Nick Saban.
-
As for the government’s specific assertions, Brafman argued that some of the documents and arrangements in question were blessed by lawyers or board members, but allowed that Shkreli sometimes played loose with facts.
-
When the kids go missing on the big cruise all hell breaks loose.
-
A word to the wise: Don't forget to warm-up appropriately with some reaching movements and even a light jog to keep your body loose.
-
Narrative just seems to stick to our brains better than loose facts do.
-
The drums, played by Brian DiCrescenzo (who has since left the band), are loose and improvisatory, the wash of cymbals near-constant.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'loose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of loose
Middle English lous, from Old Norse lauss; akin to Old High German lōs loose — more at -less
Definition of loose
loosed
;loosing
transitive verb
1a : to let loose (see 1loose) : release loosed the dogs on the prowlersb : to free from restraint
2 : to make loose : untie loose a knot
3 : to cast loose : detach loosed the boat from its moorings — George Eliot
5 : to make less rigid, tight, or strict : relax loosed his grip
intransitive verb
: to let fly a missile (such as an arrow) : fire
Examples of loose in a Sentence
The soldiers loosed a volley of rifle fire.
the archers loosed a great volley of arrows at the foot soldiers charging towards them
Origin and Etymology of loose
see 1loose
Definition of loose
Origin and Etymology of loose
see 1loose
LOOSE Defined for English Language Learners
loose
playDefinition of loose for English Language Learners
-
: not tightly fastened, attached, or held
-
: not pulled or stretched tight
-
of clothing : not fitting close to your body : not tight
loose
playDefinition of loose for English Language Learners
-
: to release or untie (an animal or person)
-
: to make (something) less tight
-
: to shoot or fire (something, such as an arrow or a bullet)
loose
playDefinition of loose for English Language Learners
-
: in a way that does not fit close to your body
LOOSE Defined for Kids
Definition of loose for Students
looser
;loosest
1 : not tightly fixed or fastened a loose board
2 : not pulled tight a loose belt
3 : not tied up or shut in a loose horse
4 : not brought together in a bundle or binding loose sheets of paper
5 : having parts that are not held or squeezed tightly together loose gravel
6 : not exact or precise a loose translation
loosely
adverblooseness
nounDefinition of loose for Students
loosed
;loosing
1 : to make less tight He loosed the knot.
2 : to set free They loosed the dogs.
Medical Dictionary
loose
playMedical Definition of loose
looser
;loosest
1a: not rigidly fastened or securely attachedb (1): having worked partly free from attachments a loose tooth (2): having relative freedom of movementc: produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus a loose cough
2a: not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement loose connective tissueb: not solid : watery loose stools
3: overactive; specifically : marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools loose bowels
4: not tightly drawn or stretched loose skin
loosely
adverblooseness
nounLearn More about loose
-
See words that rhyme with loose Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for loose Spanish Central: Translation of loose Nglish: Translation of loose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of loose for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up loose? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!