Loosen

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈluːsnÌ©/

Origin

From loose + -en.

Full definition of loosen

Verb

1. To make loose.to loosen a knotAfter the Thanksgiving meal, Bill loosened his belt.
• Francis BaconAfter a year's rooting, then shaking doth the tree good by loosening of the earth.
2. To free from restraint; to set at liberty.
• DrydenIt loosens his hands, and assists his understanding.
3. To remove costiveness from; to facilitate or increase the alvine discharges of.

Antonyms

• tighten

Derived terms

• loosen the apron strings
• loosen the purse strings
• loosener

Related terms

• loose
• unloosen