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
This isn’t to say McDermott has become loosey-goosey.
—
Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
As Prynoski runs a quick session, the loosey-goosey fantasy RPG-meets-drinking game — whose kookily illustrated cards and dice all glow under blacklights — feels oddly like a natural next step for Titmouse.
—James Grebey, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2025
If things are left too loosey-goosey and vague, that can result in mixed expectations within your organization.
—Kathleen Walch, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
While their Afrocentric paeans to the motherland signal a commitment to Black uplift, their loosey-goosey grooves—plundered from records by Mandrill, Manu Dibango, and Kool & the Gang, and frequently scratched straight from turntables to tape—drink from a deep well of pure pleasure.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
This worldwide experiment is loosey-goosey and carries weighty consequences.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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
The boundary of entertainment is a lot more loosey-goosey.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
As Prynoski runs a quick session, the loosey-goosey fantasy RPG-meets-drinking game — whose kookily illustrated cards and dice all glow under blacklights — feels oddly like a natural next step for Titmouse.
—James Grebey, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2025
If things are left too loosey-goosey and vague, that can result in mixed expectations within your organization.
—Kathleen Walch, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
While their Afrocentric paeans to the motherland signal a commitment to Black uplift, their loosey-goosey grooves—plundered from records by Mandrill, Manu Dibango, and Kool & the Gang, and frequently scratched straight from turntables to tape—drink from a deep well of pure pleasure.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
This worldwide experiment is loosey-goosey and carries weighty consequences.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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
The boundary of entertainment is a lot more loosey-goosey.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loosey-goosey
Adjective
-
While some editors appreciated it for its thicker texture, other editors found the mellow tang to be ideal for a variety of dishes from soup to tacos.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
-
But exercise alone is unlikely to give you a more mellow personality—this is part of a big-picture approach to mental health.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This recipe stars spaghetti and brings together four types of cheeses (including ricotta) for an extra hearty, creamy, and smooth supper.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Activate your wristband for smooth entry and unlock extra safety features, such as adding an emergency contact.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These over collected taxes are then directed to corporate welfare schemes the most egregious is Hollywood subsidies.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
To address this, the Statista R research team employed triangulation, combining secondary data from global sources and national datasets with primary data from university reports and data submissions to verify collected information.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Amid its evolution into a shopping and dining powerhouse, the neighborhood long craved a calm refuge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
July 23 – August 22 A calm focus fuels your ambition more than chaotic passion.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Others noticed how well Perry and Harris, who play the nonchalant grandfather and seemingly sheltered grandson, bonded on-screen, noting that their chemistry is evident and makes the movie funnier.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
As part of his new collection for the brand, Arnold unveiled a new shape—a slightly sloping, almost smile-like pleat that’s simultaneously nonchalant and fully sophisticated.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Every day, a steady stream of items gets left behind at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in airports across the world, from pocket knives to headphones to peanut butter and oversized bottles of perfume.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Tharia’s Jane, meanwhile, is both vulnerable and volatile, sometimes letting slip a mass of frightened, warring impulses behind her still, steady gaze.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The backstory The 34-year-old hotel is amid years-long renovations, ensuring this old favorite stays relevant and cool.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
This New York Fashion Week, Anna Sui's show brought together a nostalgic, indie-cool twist on boho chic.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This easygoing nature carries over to pruning, too.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Keep your garden full of flavors with companion plants that are easygoing and follow the same maintenance plan.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loosey-goosey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loosey-goosey. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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