First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1loose
adjective \ˈlüs\
: not tightly fastened, attached, or held
: not pulled or stretched tight
of clothing : not fitting close to your body : not tight
loos·erloos·est
Full Definition of LOOSE
1
a : not rigidly fastened or securely attached b (1) : having worked partly free from attachments <a loose tooth> (2) : having relative freedom of movement c : produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus <a loose cough> d : not tight-fitting
2
a : free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation <a lion loose in the streets> <spend loose funds wisely> b : not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding c archaic : disconnected, detached
3
a : not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement b : not solid : watery <loose stools>
4
a : lacking in restraint or power of restraint <a loose tongue> b : lacking moral restraint : unchaste c : overactive; specifically : marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools <loose bowels>
6
a : lacking in precision, exactness, or care <loose brushwork> <loose usage> b : permitting freedom of interpretation
7
: not in the possession of either of two competing teams <a loose ball> <a loose puck>
— loose·ly adverb
— loose·ness noun
See loose defined for English-language learners
See loose defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of LOOSE
Middle English lous, from Old Norse lauss; akin to Old High German lōs loose — more at -less
Related to LOOSE
2loose
verb \ˈlüs\
: to release or untie (an animal or person)
: to make (something) less tight
: to shoot or fire (something, such as an arrow or a bullet)
loosedloos·ing
Full Definition of LOOSE
transitive verb
2
: to make loose : untie <loose a knot>
5
: to make less rigid, tight, or strict : relax
intransitive verb
: to let fly a missile (as an arrow) : fire
See loose defined for English-language learners
Origin of LOOSE
(see 1loose)
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to LOOSE
- Synonyms
- blast, discharge, fire, shoot, squeeze off
- Antonyms
- bottle (up), repress, suppress
3loose
adverb \ˈlüs\
: in a way that does not fit close to your body
Full Definition of LOOSE
See loose defined for English-language learners
Origin of LOOSE
(see 1loose)
First Known Use: 15th century
LOOSENESS Defined for Kids
1loose
adjective \ˈlüs\
loos·erloos·est
Definition of LOOSE for Kids
1
: not tightly fixed or fastened <a loose board>
2
: not pulled tight <a loose belt>
3
: not tied up or shut in <a loose horse>
4
: not brought together in a bundle or binding <loose sheets of paper>
5
: having parts that are not held or squeezed tightly together <loose gravel>
6
: not exact or precise <a loose translation>
— loose·ly adverb
— loose·ness noun
2loose
verb
loosedloos·ing
Definition of LOOSE for Kids
1
: to make less tight <He loosed the knot.>
2
: to set free <They loosed the dogs.>
Medical Dictionary
loose
adjective \ˈlüs\
loos·erloos·est
Medical Definition of LOOSE
1
a : not rigidly fastened or securely attached b (1) : having worked partly free from attachments <a loose tooth> (2) : having relative freedom of movement c : produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus <a loose cough>
2
a : not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement <loose connective tissue> b : not solid : watery <loose stools>
3
: overactive; specifically : marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools <loose bowels>
4
: not tightly drawn or stretched <loose skin>
—loose·ly adverb
—loose·ness noun
Learn More About LOOSE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: loose accentPrevious Word in the Dictionary: loopyAll Words Near: loose
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up loose? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).