Word
Definition
n. a long rope with a loop at the end that you throw to catch animals like cows or horses. You pull the rope tight once the loop is around the animal's neck or legs.
n. a long rope with a running noose at one end, used for roping horses or cattle. In a computing context, refers to a selection tool in graphic design software that allows the user to draw a freehand border around an object.
Examples
“The cowboy threw his lasso to catch the young horse.”
“Using the lasso tool in the photo editor, she carefully traced the outline of the flower to remove the background.”
“While the physical lasso remains a symbol of ranching culture, its digital namesake has become an essential interface element for precise, non-geometric selections in image manipulation software.”
Examples
simple
“The cowboy threw his lasso to catch the young horse.”
contextual
“Using the lasso tool in the photo editor, she carefully traced the outline of the flower to remove the background.”
complex
“While the physical lasso remains a symbol of ranching culture, its digital namesake has become an essential interface element for precise, non-geometric selections in image manipulation software.”
Usage
The plural can be spelled as either 'lassos' or 'lassoes'.
Real-World Examples
“A runaway horse was lassoed by a police officer during a "hoof-stopping moment on duty".” “An attempted bicycle theft in a Walmart parking lot was foiled by a cattle rancher on horseback, who chased the thief down and lassoed him until the local police in southern Oregon could arrive.” “A rancher jumped on his horse Friday morning and lassoed a man who was trying to steal a bicycle in the parking lot of an Oregon Wal-Mart, police said.” “By studying trick roping as a science, a French physicist has taught himself to lasso like a rodeo veteran.” Etymology
From Spanish lazo, itself from Vulgar Latin laceum and ultimately from Latin laqueus. A doublet of lace.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/lasso
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0