loose

[ loos ]

adjective

, loos·er, loos·est.

1. free or released from fastening or attachment:

   a loose end.

   Antonyms: bound

2. free from anything that binds or restrains; unfettered:

   loose cats prowling around in alleyways at night.

   Synonyms: unbound

3. uncombined, as a chemical element.
4. not bound together:

   to wear one's hair loose.

5. not put up in a package or other container:

   loose mushrooms.

6. available for disposal; unused; unappropriated:

   loose funds.

7. lacking in reticence or power of restraint:

   a loose tongue.

8. lax, as the bowels.
9. lacking moral restraint or integrity:

   notorious for his loose character.

10. sexually promiscuous or immoral; unchaste.

    Synonyms: licentious, dissolute, libertine

    Antonyms: chaste

11. not firm, taut, or rigid:

    a loose tooth;

    a loose rein.

12. relaxed or limber in nature:

    He runs with a loose, open stride.

13. not fitting closely or tightly:

    a loose sweater.

14. not close or compact in structure or arrangement; having spaces between the parts; open:

    a loose weave.

15. having few restraining factors between associated constituents and allowing ample freedom for independent action:

    a loose federation of city-states.

16. not cohering:

    loose sand.

17. not strict, exact, or precise:

    a loose interpretation of the law.

    Synonyms: indefinite, general, vague

18. Sports.
    1. having the players on a team positioned at fairly wide intervals, as in a football formation.
    2. (of a ball, hockey puck, etc.) not in the possession of either team; out of player control.

adverb

1. in a loose manner; loosely (usually used in combination):

   loose-flowing.

verb (used with object)

, loosed, loos·ing.

1. to let loose; free from bonds or restraint.

   Synonyms: unbind, loosen

2. to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty.

   Synonyms: liberate

3. Chiefly Nautical. to set free from fastening or attachment:

   to loose a boat from its moorings.

4. to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond, fetter, or knot.
5. to shoot; discharge; let fly:

   to loose missiles at the invaders.

6. to make less tight; slacken or relax.

   Synonyms: ease

   Antonyms: tighten

7. to render less firmly fixed; lessen an attachment; loosen.

verb (used without object)

, loosed, loos·ing.

1. to let go a hold.
2. to hoist anchor; get under way.
3. to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often followed by off ):

   to loose off at a flock of ducks.

4. Obsolete. to become loose; loosen.

loose

/ luːs /

adjective

1. free or released from confinement or restraint
2. not close, compact, or tight in structure or arrangement
3. not fitted or fitting closely

   loose clothing is cooler

4. not bundled, packaged, fastened, or put in a container

   loose nails

5. inexact; imprecise

   a loose translation

6. (of funds, cash, etc) not allocated or locked away; readily available
7. 1. (esp of women) promiscuous or easy
   2. (of attitudes, ways of life, etc) immoral or dissolute
8. lacking a sense of responsibility or propriety

   loose talk

9. 1. (of the bowels) emptying easily, esp excessively; lax
   2. (of a cough) accompanied by phlegm, mucus, etc
10. (of a dye or dyed article) fading as a result of washing; not fast
11. informal.
    very relaxed; easy

noun

1. the loose
   rugby the part of play when the forwards close round the ball in a ruck or loose scrum See scrum
2. on the loose
   1. free from confinement or restraint
   2. on a spree

adverb

1. 1. in a loose manner; loosely
   2. ( in combination )

      loose-fitting

2. hang loose informal.
   to behave in a relaxed, easy fashion

verb

1. tr to set free or release, as from confinement, restraint, or obligation
2. tr to unfasten or untie
3. to make or become less strict, tight, firmly attached, compact, etc
4. whenintr, often foll by off to let fly (a bullet, arrow, or other missile)

Derived Forms

• ˈlooseness, noun
• ˈloosely, adverb

Other Words From

• loose·ly adverb
• loose·ness noun
• o·ver·loose adjective
• o·ver·loose·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of loose¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; (adjective) Middle English los, loos, from Old Norse lauss “loose, free, empty”; cognate with Old English lēas ( -less ), Dutch, German los loose, free; (verb) Middle English leowsen, lousen, derivative of the adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of loose¹

C13 (in the sense: not bound): from Old Norse lauss free; related to Old English lēas free from, -less

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. break loose, to free oneself; escape:

   The convicts broke loose.

2. cast loose,
   1. to loosen or unfasten, as a ship from a mooring.
   2. to send forth; set adrift or free:

      He was cast loose at an early age to make his own way in the world.

3. cut loose,
   1. to release from domination or control.
   2. to become free, independent, etc.
   3. to revel without restraint:

      After the rodeo they headed into town to cut loose.

4. hang / stay loose, Slang. to remain relaxed and unperturbed.
5. on the loose,
   1. free; unconfined, as, especially, an escaped convict or circus animal.
   2. behaving in an unrestrained or dissolute way:

      a bachelor on the loose.

6. turn loose, to release or free, as from confinement:

   The teacher turned the children loose after the class.

7. let loose. let loose ( def ).

More idioms and phrases containing loose

• at loose ends
• break loose
• cast loose
• cut loose
• footloose and fancy-free
• hang loose
• have a screw loose
• on the loose
• play fast and loose

Example Sentences

She also knows what happens to old soldiers with loose lips.

From Salon

"What we're most concerned about is that you've got a big increase in numbers of PAs who don't have the depth of understanding because of their background, and who are going to be let loose on the public without adequate supervision."

From BBC

A recent call to action by a loose international coalition of health care workers urged American health institutions like the U.S.

From Salon

Borthwick pointed to his side's loose ball-handling and contact skills as a reason why, but the constant flux in the backroom team - something Borthwick would have been desperate to avoid - cannot be helpful.

From BBC

Last weekend he praised his side and stressed the quality of the All Blacks; this time he was visibly angry at his side's inaccuracy and poor decision-making, as England were hooked into a loose game that played into Australia's hands.

From BBC

Related Words

• baggy
• lax
• relaxed
• sloppy