Word
loophole
Phoneticsloop·hole, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫupˌhoʊɫ/
UK/lˈuːphəʊl/
Definitions
01legal technicality
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law
n. a small mistake or missing piece of information in a law or contract that allows you to avoid a rule.
n. an ambiguity or omission in a system of laws or rules that can be exploited to evade a particular obligation.
“His lawyer found a legal loophole that allowed him to avoid paying the fine.”
“The corporation exploited a tax loophole by registering its intellectual property in a low-tax jurisdiction, effectively reducing its domestic liability to zero.”
Synonyms
02castle wall slit
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Archaic
n. a narrow vertical opening in a castle wall used for shooting arrows or letting in light.
n. a narrow vertical slit in the wall of a fortification through which missiles may be discharged.
“The archers stood behind each loophole, ready to defend the castle gates.”
“The medieval tower featured several narrow loopholes, designed to provide the defenders with a wide field of fire while remaining protected from enemy arrows.”
03to create defensive holes
C2 · Proficiency Technical · Archaic
v. to make narrow holes in a building's walls so soldiers can fire weapons through them.
v. to prepare a structure for military defense by creating apertures for small-arms fire.
“The soldiers began to loophole the farmhouse walls as the enemy approached.”
“The commanding officer ordered the engineers to loophole the perimeter wall, transforming the garden into a formidable defensive position.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a physical structure as its object.
Real-World Examples
“Alongside, the paper reports minsters are under pressure to close a legal loophole that allows paedophiles and other sex offenders to change their identity.” “The president is using lawful methods to identify loopholes in the court’s decision.” Etymology
From Middle English loupe (“opening in a wall”) + hole, from a Germanic source. By surface analysis, loop + hole. Compare Medieval Latin loupa, lobia and Middle Dutch lupen (“to watch”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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