Definition of loose - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
stabilitynot fixed in place tightly or firmly
- The screw is loose and needs tightening.
2.
clothingnot fitting closely or tightly
- She prefers wearing loose clothes during the summer.
3.
thingsnot held or packaged together
- The papers were loose on the desk.
4.
not controllednot under control
- The dog got loose from its leash.
5.
measurementnot precise or exact
- His explanation was loose and unclear.
6.
sportsUS not in possession during a gameUS
- The ball was loose on the field.
Verb
1.
releasefree from restraints or confinement
- They loosed the prisoners at dawn.
2.
actionsunfasten or untie something
- She loosed the knot with ease.
3.
archeryDated UK shoot an arrow or missileDated UK
- The archer loosed an arrow at the target.
Adverb
social limitswithout restraint or control
- After midnight, the party got loose.
Expressions with loose
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money in coins suitable for small purchases
I use loose change for buying snacks.
move freely without physical constraints
The dogs were allowed to run loose in the park.
escape from physical or metaphorical constraints
The prisoners managed to break loose during the riot.
behave without control or restraint
After the exams, they decided to cut loose.
start disorder suddenly with loud noise and confusion
When the fire alarm rang, all chaos broke loose in the building!
release from restraint or confinement
They let loose the dogs in the park.
screw that is not tightly fastened
The table wobbles because of a loose screw.
habit of revealing secrets or confidential information
She lost her job because of her loose tongue.
not under supervision or restraint
Rumors about the scandal are on the loose.
become detached with force or effort
The poster began to tear loose from the wall.
finish remaining small tasks or fix minor problems
We need to tie up loose ends before leaving.
sudden chaos or uproar starts
When the final whistle blew, all hell broke loose in the stadium.
situation became chaotic or out of control
When the fire alarm rang, all hell broke loose in the office.
having nothing to do
She felt at a loose end after finishing her project.
not occupied or busy
He was at loose ends after his friends left.
acting without regard for rules or standards
He played fast and loose with the company's finances.
remain relaxed and calm in any situation
Just hang loose and enjoy the party.
act in a way that seems a little crazy or odd
I think he has a screw loose.
dislodge something by kicking it
He managed to kick loose the stuck door.
express emotions freely without holding back
She decided to let it all loose and cried.
allow something to move freely
She let the dog loose in the yard.
extremely relaxed or carefree in behavior
After the exams, he was loose as a goose.
person beyond control, causing unintentional damage
Her actions made her seem like a loose cannon.
freedom to act without strict control
The manager gave his team a loose rein.
Origin of loose
Old Norse, lauss (loose)
Terms with loose included in their meaning
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fashion
decorative knot with two loops and loose ends
storage
folder or box for holding loose papers
firm
held firmly together, not loose or open
securely
firmly, so as not to come loose
clothing
loose-fitting underpants for men
ground material
loose soil or earth
geology
loose material of rock or mineral grains
secure
firmly fixed or not likely to move or come loose
sports
long, loose shorts worn by basketball players
stationery
cover for holding loose papers
sports wear
loose-fitting shorts worn for water sports
dairy
soft white cheese with a mild flavor and loose curds
transportation
large vehicle for transporting loose material
loose
hanging or moving loosely without support
loose
limp or hanging loosely
fashion
person who wears loose, colorful clothes and 1960s styles
casual pants
loose pants for exercise, relaxing, or comfort, often with elastic waist
clothing
standard cut or size that is neither tight nor loose
loose
not tight or tense
object displacement
become loose and slide out of position
construction
ground that is loose or easily pressed down under weight
storage
rack for storing spice jars or loose spices
tea brewing
device for filtering loose tea leaves from brewed tea
loose change
two one-cent coins
Examples of loose in a sentence
Her tooth was loose and wobbly. He wore a loose shirt to stay comfortable. The loose curtains fluttered in the breeze. Loose coins rattled in her pocket. Buy loose tea from the market. The meeting became loose and unstructured.
Her grip on the situation was loose. The measurements were loose and inconsistent. Her estimates were loose, lacking precision. The puck was loose in the corner of the rink. The loose ball was quickly recovered by the opposing team. The zookeeper loosed the animals into the wild. She loosed the dogs to chase the intruder. He loosed the sails before the storm hit. The prisoner loosed his bonds and escaped. He loosed a bolt from his crossbow. The hunter loosed a spear at the charging boar. The crowd went loose when the band returned. Comments can get loose after a heated match.
View all translations of loose
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:desserré, libérer, ...
- German:locker, freilassen, ...
- Italian:allentato, liberare, ...
- Spanish:flojo, liberar, ...
- Portuguese:solto, libertar, ...
- Chinese:松的, 释放, ...
- Japanese:緩い, 解放する, ...
- Arabic:مُرْتَخٍ, أَطْلَقَ, ...
- Hebrew:רָפוּי, לְשַׁחְרֵר, ...
- Russian:расшатанный, освободить, ...
- Ukrainian:розхитаний, звільняти, ...
- Hindi:ढीला, रिहा करना, ...
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