noun
Uncommon
loophole
LOOP-hohl
Loophole (noun) means a gap, ambiguity, or technicality in a law or rule that lets someone avoid its intended effect. Example: “The company found a loophole to avoid paying the extra tax.”
noun
1
A gap, ambiguity, or technicality in a law or rule that lets someone avoid its intended effect.
"The company found a loophole to avoid paying the extra tax."
"Lawmakers closed the loophole after it was widely exploited."
2
A narrow slit in a wall, originally used for shooting through or letting in light.
"Arrows were once fired through loopholes in the castle walls."
How to use loophole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gap in a rule that lets someone technically follow the letter of the law while dodging its purpose.
Common pairings
find a loophole
close a loophole
exploit a loophole
tax loophole
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Word forms
- Plural
- loopholes
- Third person singular
- loopholes
- Past tense
- loopholed
Fill the gap
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The company found a _____ to avoid paying the extra tax.
Etymology
From Middle English loupe ("opening in a wall") combined with hole; the legal/technical sense grew out of the idea of a narrow gap someone could slip through.
Rhymes for loophole
See all rhymes for loophole →Frequently asked questions
What does “loophole” mean?
The word “loophole” means a gap, ambiguity, or technicality in a law or rule that lets someone avoid its intended effect. In plain terms, a gap in a rule that lets someone technically follow the letter of the law while dodging its purpose.
How do you pronounce “loophole”?
“Loophole” is pronounced LOOP-hohl (/ˈluphoʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “loophole” in a sentence?
Here is “loophole” used in a sentence: “The company found a loophole to avoid paying the extra tax.”
What part of speech is “loophole”?
“Loophole” is a noun.
Where does the word “loophole” come from?
The word “loophole” comes from Middle English. From Middle English loupe ("opening in a wall") combined with hole; the legal/technical sense grew out of the idea of a narrow gap someone could slip through.
Is “loophole” a common word?
“Loophole” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “loophole” have?
“Loophole” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gap, ambiguity, or technicality in a law or rule that lets someone avoid its intended effect.
