loose
loose /ˈluːs/
adjective
-
(
)
Not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
(
loose
)
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
Loose gravel
loose gravel
-
()
(of a ball in sport) not in the possession or control of any player
(
loose
)
(of a ball in sport) not in the possession or control of any player
A loose ball
a loose ball
-
()
Emptying easily or excessively
(
lax
, loose
)
emptying easily or excessively
Loose bowels
loose bowels
-
()
Not literal
(
free
, liberal
, loose
)
not literal
A loose interpretation of what she had been told
a loose interpretation of what she had been told
A free translation of the poem
a free translation of the poem
-
()
Not tight; not closely constrained, constricted or constricting
(
loose
)
not tight; not closely constrained, constricted or constricting
Loose clothing
loose clothing
The large shoes were very loose
the large shoes were very loose
-
()
Not officially recognized or controlled
(
informal
, loose
)
not officially recognized or controlled
An informal agreement
an informal agreement
A loose organization of the local farmers
a loose organization of the local farmers
-
Not affixed
(
loose
, unaffixed
)
not affixed
The stamp came loose
the stamp came loose
-
Casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
(
easy
, light
, loose
, promiscuous
, sluttish
[Informal] , wanton
, slutty
[Informal] , tarty
[Informal] )
casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
Her easy virtue
her easy virtue
He was told to avoid loose (or light) women
he was told to avoid loose (or light) women
Wanton behavior
wanton behavior
-
Having escaped, especially from confinement
(
loose
, on the loose
, at large
, escaped
)
having escaped, especially from confinement
A convict still at large
a convict still at large
Searching for two escaped prisoners
searching for two escaped prisoners
Dogs loose on the streets
dogs loose on the streets
Criminals on the loose in the neighborhood
criminals on the loose in the neighborhood
-
Not carefully arranged in a package
(
loose
)
not carefully arranged in a package
A box of loose nails
a box of loose nails
-
Lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility
(
idle
, loose
)
lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility
Idle talk
idle talk
A loose tongue
a loose tongue
-
(of textures) full of small openings or gaps
(
loose
, open
)
(of textures) full of small openings or gaps
An open texture
an open texture
A loose weave
a loose weave
-
Not tense or taut
(
loose
, slack
)
not tense or taut
The old man's skin hung loose and grey
the old man's skin hung loose and grey
Slack and wrinkled skin
slack and wrinkled skin
Slack sails
slack sails
A slack rope
a slack rope
A slack grip
a slack grip
adverb
-
()
Without restraint
(
free
, loose
)
without restraint
Cows in India are running loose
cows in India are running loose
verb
-
()
Turn loose or free from restraint
(
let loose
, loose
, unleash
)
turn loose or free from restraint
Let loose mines
let loose mines
Loose terrible plagues upon humanity
Loose terrible plagues upon humanity
-
()
Grant freedom to; free from confinement
(
unloose
, unloosen
, liberate
, free
, loose
, release
)
grant freedom to; free from confinement
The organization worked tirelessly to free innocent individuals who had been wrongfully imprisoned.
The organization worked tirelessly to free innocent individuals who had been wrongfully imprisoned.
-
Become loose, looser or less tight
(
loose
, loosen
, relax
)
become loose, looser or less tight
The noose loosened
The noose loosened
The rope relaxed
the rope relaxed
-
Make loose or looser
(
loose
, loosen
)
make loose or looser
Loosen the tension on a rope
loosen the tension on a rope
