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English Dictionary

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 loose loose /ˈluːs/

adjective

  1. () Not compact or dense in structure or arrangement  ( loose )
    not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
     Loose gravel
    loose gravel
  2. () (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
  3. () Emptying easily or excessively  ( lax , loose )
    emptying easily or excessively
     Loose bowels
    loose bowels
  4. () 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
  5. () 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
  6. () 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
  7. Not affixed  ( loose , unaffixed )
    not affixed
     The stamp came loose
    the stamp came loose
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. Not carefully arranged in a package  ( loose )
    not carefully arranged in a package
     A box of loose nails
    a box of loose nails
  11. 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
  12. (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
  13. 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

  1. () Without restraint  ( free , loose )
    without restraint
     Cows in India are running loose
    cows in India are running loose

verb

  1. () 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
  2. () 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.
  3. 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
  4. Make loose or looser  ( loose , loosen )
    make loose or looser
     Loosen the tension on a rope
    loosen the tension on a rope