loose
loos
Loose (adj) means not firmly attached, fixed, or fitting tightly. Example: “One of the fence posts was loose after the storm.”
adj
1
Not firmly attached, fixed, or fitting tightly.
"One of the fence posts was loose after the storm."
"She wore a loose sweater over her jeans."
"My tooth feels loose, so the dentist said it will fall out soon."
2
Not precise, exact, or strict.
"That's a fairly loose translation of the original poem."
"We only have a loose plan for the weekend, so anything could happen."
"The rules are quite loose, so players can interpret them in different ways."
verb
1
To set free or release from restraint.
"The hunter loosed his arrow at the target."
"They loosed the dogs to chase after the fox."
"The farmer loosed the cattle into the field at the start of spring."
How to use loose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot tight, not fixed firmly in place, or (as a verb) to release or set free.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "lose" (to misplace or fail to win) — "loose" rhymes with "goose," "lose" rhymes with "shoes."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a loose tooth
loose change
cut loose
loose ends
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Word forms
- Plural
- looses
- Third person singular
- looses
- Past tense
- loosed
- Comparative
- looser
- Superlative
- loosest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
One of the fence posts was _____ after the storm.
Etymology
From Old Norse lauss ("loose, free"), related to the suffix "-less" and to words like "lyse" and "-lysis" in modern English via a very old root meaning "to untie."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for loose
See all rhymes for loose →Frequently asked questions
What does “loose” mean?
The word “loose” means not firmly attached, fixed, or fitting tightly. In plain terms, not tight, not fixed firmly in place, or (as a verb) to release or set free.
How do you pronounce “loose”?
“Loose” is pronounced loos (/luːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “loose” in a sentence?
Here is “loose” used in a sentence: “One of the fence posts was loose after the storm.”
What is another word for “loose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “loose” include fire, unsecured, shoot, spaced out, relaxed and tarty.
What is the opposite of “loose”?
The opposite of “loose” — its antonyms — are constrain, bind, fasten, tie and tighten.
What part of speech is “loose”?
Depending on how it is used, “loose” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “loose” come from?
The word “loose” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse lauss ("loose, free"), related to the suffix "-less" and to words like "lyse" and "-lysis" in modern English via a very old root meaning "to untie.".
Is “loose” a common word?
“Loose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between loose and lose?
Loose is an adjective meaning not tight or not firmly fixed, as in 'a loose tooth' or 'loose clothing.' Lose is a verb meaning to misplace something or to fail to win, as in 'don't lose your keys.' They sound different too: loose rhymes with goose, lose with news.
What is the opposite of loose?
The opposite depends on the sense. When loose means not tight, its antonyms are tight, snug, or taut. When it means not firmly fixed, the opposites are fixed, secure, or fastened. For loose meaning free or unrestrained, the contrast is confined, contained, or restrained.
What are the different meanings of loose?
Loose has several related senses. It can mean not tightly attached ('a loose screw'), not tight-fitting ('loose trousers'), free or not confined ('the dog is loose'), or not precise ('a loose translation'). In every case the core idea is a lack of firmness, tightness, or restraint.
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