• Loose

    Pronunciation

    • enPR: looÍžs, IPA: /luːs/
    • Rhymes: -uːs

    Origin 1

    Old Norse lauss

    Full definition of loose

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To let loose, to free from restraints.
      • Bible, Matthew xxi. 2Ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her; loose them, and bring them unto me.
    2. (transitive) To unfasten, to loosen.
    3. (transitive) To make less tight, to loosen.
    4. (intransitive) Of a grip or hold, to let go.
    5. (archery) to shoot (an arrow)
    6. (obsolete) To set sail.
      • 1611: King James Bible, Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
    7. (obsolete) To solve; to interpret.

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

    Adjective

    loose

    1. Not fixed in place tightly or firmly.This wheelbarrow has a loose wheel.
    2. Not held or packaged together.You can buy apples in a pack, but they are cheaper loose.
    3. Not under control.The dog is loose again.
      • AddisonNow I stand
        Loose of my vow; but who knows Cato's thoughts?
    4. Not fitting closelyI wear loose clothes when it is hot.
    5. Not compact.It is difficult walking on loose gravel.a cloth of loose texture
      • Miltonwith horse and chariots ranked in loose array
    6. Relaxed.She danced with a loose flowing movement.
    7. Not precise or exact; vague; indeterminate.a loose way of reasoning
      • WhewellThe comparison employed ... must be considered rather as a loose analogy than as an exact scientific explanation.
    8. Indiscreet.Loose talk costs lives.
    9. (dated) Free from moral restraint; immoral, unchaste.
      • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, I:In all these he was much and deeply read;
        But not a page of any thing that's loose,
        Or hints continuation of the species,
        Was ever suffer'd, lest he should grow vicious.
      • Spenserloose ladies in delight
      • Sir Walter Scottthe loose morality which he had learned
    10. (not comparable, sports) Not being in the possession of any competing team during a game.He caught an elbow going after a loose ball.The puck was momentarily loose right in front of the net.
      • 2011, September 28, Tom Rostance, Arsenal 2 - 1 Olympiakos, Tomas Rosicky released the left-back with a fine pass but his low cross was cut out by Ivan Marcano. However the Brazilian was able to collect the loose ball, cut inside and roll a right-footed effort past Franco Costanzo at his near post.
    11. (dated) Not costive; having lax bowels.

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

    Noun

    loose

    (plural looses)
    1. (archery) The release of an arrow.
    2. (obsolete) A state of laxity or indulgence; unrestrained freedom, abandonment.
    3. (sports)
      • 2011, Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15210221.stmThe defeat will leave manager Martin Johnson under pressure after his gamble of pairing Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood at 10 and 12 failed to ignite the England back line, while his forwards were repeatedly second best at the set-piece and in the loose.
    4. Freedom from restraint.
      • AddisonVent all its griefs, and give a loose to sorrow.
    5. A letting go; discharge.

    Derived terms

    Interjection

    1. (archery) begin shooting; release your arrows

    Antonyms

    • (archery: begin shooting) fast

    Anagrams

    Origin 2

    Verb

    1. Misspelling of loseI'm going to loose this game.

    Derived terms

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