loosen
Loosen (verb) means to make something less tight, or to become less tight. Example: “He loosened his tie after the long meeting.”
How to use loosen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make (or become) less tight, or to relax a restriction.
Word forms
loosened past tense, loosens singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ his tie after the long meeting.
Etymology
From loose plus the verb-forming suffix -en, meaning "to make loose."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for loosen
See all rhymes for loosen →Frequently asked questions
What does “loosen” mean?
The word “loosen” means to make something less tight, or to become less tight. In plain terms, to make (or become) less tight, or to relax a restriction.
How do you pronounce “loosen”?
“Loosen” is pronounced LOOSN (/ˈluːsn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “loosen” in a sentence?
Here is “loosen” used in a sentence: “He loosened his tie after the long meeting.”
What is another word for “loosen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “loosen” include relax, slacken and untighten.
What is the opposite of “loosen”?
The opposite of “loosen” — its antonyms — is tighten.
What part of speech is “loosen”?
“Loosen” is a verb.
Is “loosen” a common word?
“Loosen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “loosen” have?
“Loosen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something less tight, or to become less tight.