English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj

footloose

Quiz me More like this

Footloose (adj) means Free to travel and act as one pleases, without commitments tying one down. Example: “After the divorce, he felt footloose for the first time in years.”

adj
1
Free to travel and act as one pleases, without commitments tying one down.
"Because we often imagine that immigrants are constantly on the move, footloose, able to change course at any moment." — Zadie Smith, White Teeth (2000)
"He was footloose in his youth."
"After the divorce, he felt footloose for the first time in years."

How to use footloose

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFree of responsibilities and able to do as one pleases.

Common pairings
footloose and fancy-free
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like footloose.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Comparative
more footloose
Superlative
most footloose
Test yourself on “footloose” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

After the divorce, he felt _____ for the first time in years.

Etymology

From foot + loose, describing feet that are free (loose) to go wherever they like.

Rhymes for footloose

See all rhymes for footloose →

Frequently asked questions

What does “footloose” mean?
The word “footloose” means free to travel and act as one pleases, without commitments tying one down. In plain terms, free of responsibilities and able to do as one pleases.
How do you use “footloose” in a sentence?
Here is “footloose” used in a sentence: “After the divorce, he felt footloose for the first time in years.”
What part of speech is “footloose”?
“Footloose” is an adjective.
What is the meaning of footloose?
"footloose" (adj) means free to travel and act as one pleases, without commitments tying one down.