noun
loophole
LOOP-hohl
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
Word Forms
loopholed past tense, loopholes plural, loopholes singular
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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.