loose
19 ENTRIES FOUND:
- loose (adjective)
- loose (adverb)
- loose (verb)
- loose (noun)
- loose–jointed (adjective)
- loose–leaf (adjective)
- loose–limbed (adjective)
- loose cannon (noun)
- loose change (noun)
- loose end (noun)
- break (verb)
- fast (adjective)
- hang (verb)
- hell (noun)
- let (verb)
- play (verb)
- screw (noun)
- set (verb)
- turn (verb)
looser;
loosest
looser;
loosest
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOOSE
1
:
not tightly fastened, attached, or held
-
a loose tooth
-
a loose thread
-
Some of the shingles on the roof were loose.
-
The rope was tied in a loose knot.
-
The nails had been pried loose.
-
Some of the shingles had come/worked loose.
-
The boat came loose from its moorings and floated out into the harbor.
-
The ball popped loose from the shortstop's glove.
2
a
:
not pulled or stretched tight
-
a loose belt
-
loose reins on a horse
-
loose skin
b
of clothing
:
not fitting close to your body
:
not tight
-
She was wearing a loose dress/skirt.
-
a loose [=baggy] sweater
3
:
not physically held or contained
—
see also let loose 1 (below)
-
The dog was wandering loose in the streets.
-
The lion had somehow gotten/broken loose [=free] from its cage.
4
a
:
not held together in a solid or tight mass
-
loose dirt
-
loose rocks
-
loose sandy soil
b
:
not held together in a bundle, container, etc.
-
loose sheets of paper
-
Loose hairs stuck out from under his cap.
-
She let her hair hang down loose.
-
You can buy a bag of potatoes or some loose potatoes.
5
:
not stiff or tense
:
flexible or relaxed
—
see also hang loose (below)
-
He walked with a loose stride.
-
loose muscles
-
I never relaxed that day; I just couldn't get loose.
-
Runners should warm up for a few minutes to get loose.
-
I tried to stay loose during the game, but I was too nervous.
6
:
not closely joined or united
-
Ten advocacy groups from all parts of the country formed a loose alliance/association/coalition to present their shared interests to Congress.
7
a
:
not exact or precise
-
a very loose translation
-
a loose interpretation of the law
-
This book is only a novel in the loose sense of the word. [=the word “novel” does not usually refer to a book like this; many people would not consider the book a novel]
b
:
not careful in speech
:
talking too freely
-
Loose [=careless] talk spread the rumor.
-
She has a loose tongue. [=she talks too much about things that are private, secret, etc.]
8
sports
:
not controlled or held by any of the players in a game
9
old-fashioned
:
not respectable sexually
:
not decent or moral
-
He was accused of loose conduct/behavior.
-
a loose woman
-
loose morals
10
of solid waste from the body
:
containing a larger than normal amount of fluid
also
:
producing loose stools
-
loose bowels
-
loose bowel movements
all hell breaks loose
break loose
cut loose
1
cut (someone) loose
:
to stop supporting or employing (someone)
:
to end an official relationship or agreement with (someone)
-
He worked here for a few years but he didn't do a good job, so we finally had to cut him loose.
-
She's been cut loose from her contract. [=the company/organization with whom she had a contract to work has ended the contract]
2
chiefly US, informal
:
to act in a free and relaxed way after behaving in a way that is controlled
-
I enjoy cutting loose with friends on weekends.
hang loose
chiefly US, informal
:
to remain calm and relaxed
-
Just hang loose for a minute. I'll be right back.
have a screw loose, have a loose screw
let loose
1
let/set/turn (someone or something) loose
:
to allow (someone or something) to move or go freely
— often used figuratively
-
He let/set the dogs loose in the courtyard.
-
cattle let loose to graze on the green fields
-
It's the end of the school year, when schools turn students loose on our towns.
-
a director who's willing to let her actors loose to interpret their roles however they see fit
-
We must find ways to stop the violence that has been let loose [=loosed] on the city.
2
:
to produce (something, such as a cry) in a sudden and forceful way
-
The crowd let loose [=let out] an enormous groan when the pass was intercepted.
-
She let loose (with) a scream.
play fast and loose
— loosely
adverb-
The clothes fit loosely.
-
The term is loosely used by most people.
-
The rider held the reins loosely as the horse slowed to a walk.
-
loosely affiliated/allied businesses
-
The company was loosely organized.
-
The movie is loosely based on the novel. [=it is based on the novel but many things are different in the movie]
— looseness
noun [noncount]-
moral looseness
-
the looseness of the translation
-
the looseness of his clothing
2
loose
/ˈluːs/
adverb
2
loose
/ˈluːs/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOOSE
:
in a way that does not fit close to your body
-
loose-fitting clothing
3
loose
/ˈluːs/
verb
looses;
loosed;
loosing
3
loose
/ˈluːs/
verb
looses;
loosed;
loosing
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOOSE
[+ object]
1
:
to release or untie (an animal or person)
— often used figuratively
-
They loosed the dogs on the prowlers. [=they released the dogs so that they could catch, chase away, etc., the prowlers]
-
riots that have loosed an epidemic of violence on the city
2
3
:
to shoot or fire (something, such as an arrow or a bullet)
-
The soldiers loosed a volley of rifle fire.
4
loose
/ˈluːs/
noun
4
loose
/ˈluːs/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOOSE
on the loose
:
able to move freely
:
not controlled or held in a prison, cage, etc.
— used especially to describe a dangerous person, animal, or group
-
The prisoner escaped and is still on the loose.
-
A killer is on the loose.
-
An angry mob was on the loose.
