loose

¹loose

adj \ˈlüs\

loos·erloos·est

Definition of LOOSE

1

a : not rigidly fastened or securely attached b (1) : having worked partly free from attachments <a loose tooth> (2) : having relative freedom of movement c : produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus <a loose cough> d : not tight-fitting

2

a : free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation <a lion loose in the streets> <spend loose funds wisely> b : not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding c archaic : disconnected, detached

3

a : not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement b : not solid : watery <loose stools>

4

a : lacking in restraint or power of restraint <a loose tongue> b : lacking moral restraint : unchaste c : overactive; specifically : marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools <loose bowels>

5

a : not tightly drawn or stretched : slack b : being flexible or relaxed <stay loose>

6

a : lacking in precision, exactness, or care <loose brushwork> <loose usage> b : permitting freedom of interpretation

7

: not in the possession of either of two competing teams <a loose ball> <a loose puck>

— loose·ly adverb

— loose·ness noun

Examples of LOOSE

1. Some of the shingles on the roof were loose.
2. The rope was tied in a loose knot.
3. The nails had been pried loose.
4. Some of the shingles had come loose.
5. The boat came loose from its moorings and floated out into the harbor.
6. The ball popped loose from the shortstop's glove.
7. loose reins on a horse
8. She was wearing a loose dress.
9. The dog was wandering loose in the streets.

Origin of LOOSE

Middle English lous, from Old Norse lauss; akin to Old High German lōs loose — more at -less

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to LOOSE

Synonyms: insecure, lax, loosened, relaxed, slack, slackened, unsecured

Antonyms: taut, tense, tight

Related Words: detached, free, unattached, unbound, undone, unfastened, untied; baggy, blousy, saggy

Near Antonyms: constrained, restrained; attached, bound, fastened, tied; fast, firm, jammed, snug, stuck, wedged

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with LOOSE

crouse, crus, cruse, deuce, douce, goose, juice, moose, mousse, noose, nous, puce, rhus, ruse, Russ, schuss, Seuss, sluice, spruce, truce, use, Zeus