loophole

[ loop-hohl ]

noun

1. a means of escape or evasion; a means or opportunity of evading a rule, law, etc.:

   There are a number of loopholes in the tax laws whereby corporations can save money.

2. a small or narrow opening, as in a wall, for looking through, for admitting light and air, or, particularly in a fortification, for the discharge of missiles against an enemy outside.
3. an opening or aperture.

verb (used with object)

, loop·holed, loop·hol·ing.

1. to furnish with loopholes.

loophole

/ ˈluːpˌhəʊl /

noun

1. an ambiguity, omission, etc, as in a law, by which one can avoid a penalty or responsibility
2. a small gap or hole in a wall, esp one in a fortified wall

verb

1. tr to provide with loopholes

Word History and Origins

Origin of loophole¹

First recorded in 1585–95; loop ² + hole

Word History and Origins

Origin of loophole¹

C16: from loop ² + hole

Example Sentences

In his interview, Ho sought to carve a massive loophole into the 14th Amendment.

From Slate

That prohibition did not explicitly cover online sales, but the city of San Diego is one of a number of local governments that adopted laws to eliminate any potential loophole.

From Los Angeles Times

They also object to what they called a “court-created loophole” that makes the measure easier to pass.

From Los Angeles Times

However, some have considered it a loophole in the inheritance tax system.

From BBC

It would create a loophole that legalizes purges that Congress tried to ban, under the pretext that targeted individuals are not true “voters” at all.

From Slate