as in mellow
chiefly US, informal
very loose or relaxed
The assistant manager had a loosey-goosey attitude about the store's return policy.
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Recent Examples of loosey-goosey
Dogma is having a resurgence; Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is similarly satirical in that loosey-goosey way Smith does so well.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2025
While there was a higher body count in Taormina and Thailand, in terms of work culture Maui seems to be the most loosey-goosey of the resort locations with the staff going down K-holes and sleeping with guests in beachside huts.
—Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
This was one of those After Midnight episodes that doubles as a reunion for longtime comedy buds, so everyone was feeling really loosey-goosey.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
The boundary of entertainment is a lot more loosey-goosey.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Some jokes are just too-hot for TV — especially for CBS — even if they’re delivered in the loosey-goosey Golden Globes ballroom (and even when those Golden Globes are hosted by Nikki Glaser).
—Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 5 Jan. 2025
In such an instance, the loosey-goosey facets might allow for a great deal of confusion, finger-pointing, and slippery contrivances.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
This is a loosey-goosey day because there’s a Moon Alert.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2025
Likewise, writing a paper, finishing a manuscript or studying schoolwork also might be hard to stick with because things are loosey-goosey and erratic.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2025
While there was a higher body count in Taormina and Thailand, in terms of work culture Maui seems to be the most loosey-goosey of the resort locations with the staff going down K-holes and sleeping with guests in beachside huts.
—Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
This was one of those After Midnight episodes that doubles as a reunion for longtime comedy buds, so everyone was feeling really loosey-goosey.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
The boundary of entertainment is a lot more loosey-goosey.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Some jokes are just too-hot for TV — especially for CBS — even if they’re delivered in the loosey-goosey Golden Globes ballroom (and even when those Golden Globes are hosted by Nikki Glaser).
—Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 5 Jan. 2025
In such an instance, the loosey-goosey facets might allow for a great deal of confusion, finger-pointing, and slippery contrivances.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
This is a loosey-goosey day because there’s a Moon Alert.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2025
Likewise, writing a paper, finishing a manuscript or studying schoolwork also might be hard to stick with because things are loosey-goosey and erratic.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosey-goosey
Adjective
-
Merz’s sharp tone is noticeable — especially in comparison to his predecessor Olaf Scholz, who generally struck a more mellow approach.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The waves are mellow enough for new surfers, but still fun for seasoned riders.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Approximation of the smooth, unblinking surface of polished stone or metal.—
Emily Witt,
New Yorker,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This year, the smooth, rounded, metallic gem is the third-largest diamond found so far, the park said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The collected water can then be used for watering the lawn and garden, reducing your spending and your water waste, while still keeping the lawn and garden looking great throughout the summer.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 July 2025
-
These salts can leak out with the collected water, making for an unpalatable drink.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Developing temperance involves cultivating the five habits of being calm, composed, patient, prudent, and self-controlled, which depend on regulating the PABC systems.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The calm but stern warning came Wednesday during a back-to-school news conference in Baltimore with State Superintendent Carey Wright and State Board of Education President Joshua Michael.—
William J. Ford,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Her opponent was a noisy avalanche of language, but Kuang appeared cool and nonchalant.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Often, that involves baring her growing baby bump in a cool, nonchalant way.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Stabilize your camera with a tripod or a steady surface.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Sony Music delivered steady top-line and bottom-line expansion in Q1.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a moment in indie film right now where there’s a lot of cool films and theaters, and people are going, if not in huge numbers.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Allow to set-up to firm in cool place on kitchen counter or in refrigerator.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
So her trip to the past should be a very easygoing, chill time.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Schmitt is easygoing inside the Capitol and a swaggering culture warrior outside of it.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loosey-goosey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosey-goosey. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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