Definition of loose
Etymology
Pronunciation
Verb
to loose (third-person singular simple present looses, present participle loosing, simple past and past participle loosed)
- (transitive) To let loose, to free from restraints.
- (transitive) To unfasten, to loosen.
- (transitive) To make less tight, to loosen.
- (intransitive) Of a grip or hold, to let go.
- (archery) to shoot (an arrow)
Usage notes
- Do not confuse loose with lose.
Synonyms
- (let loose): free, release
- (unfasten): loosen, unbind, undo, unfasten, untie
- (make less tight): loosen, relax, slacken
- (of grip or hold): let go, release
- (archery): fire, shoot
Antonyms
- (let loose):: bind, constrain
- (unfasten):: bind, fasten, tie
- (make less tight):: tighten
- (of grip or hold):: tighten
- (archery): fast
Adjective
loose (comparative looser, superlative loosest)
- Not fixed in place tightly or firmly
This wheelbarrow has a loose wheel
- Not held or packaged together
You can buy apples in a pack, but they are cheaper loose
- Not bound or tethered or leashed
The dog is loose again
- Not fitting closely
I wear loose clothes when it is hot
- Not compact
It is difficult walking on loose gravel
- relaxed
She danced with a loose flowing movement
- indiscreet
Loose talk costs lives
- (dated) promiscuous
She is a loose woman
Synonyms
- (not held or packaged together): separate, unpackaged
- (not bound or tethered or leashed): free, untethered
- (not fitting closely): baggy
- (relaxed): loose-limbed, relaxed
- (indiscreet): indiscreet
- (promiscuous): polygamous, promiscuous, slutty, tarty, whorish
Antonyms
- (not held or packaged together): packaged
- (not bound or tethered or leashed): bound, leashed, tethered, tied, tied up
- (not fitting closely): close-fitting, snug, tight
- (not compact): compact, firm
- (relaxed): tense, tensed
- (indiscreet): discreet
- (promiscuous): faithful, monogamous
Interjection
loose
- (archery) begin shooting; release your arrows
Antonyms
- (archery: begin shooting): fast
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
|
