ENGLISH
REFERENCE

loose

adj. · v. · n.
US //ˈɫus// UK //lˈuːs// loose
  1. 1 not tight (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    not fitting closely to your body.

    not fitting closely or tightly; having a generous cut or significant space between the object and the surface.

    Example

    He prefers wearing loose shirts when the weather is hot and humid.

    Example

    The athlete opted for loose clothing during the warm-up to ensure a full range of motion before the race began.
    Pitfall
    I don't want to loose my keys.
    I don't want to lose my keys.

    Do not confuse 'loose' (not tight) with 'lose' (to misplace something).

  2. 2 not fixed firmly (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not held in place securely; likely to fall or move.

    not securely attached or fastened in place; liable to become detached.

    Example

    Be careful on the stairs because one of the wooden boards is loose.

    Example

    The mechanic discovered a loose bolt in the engine housing that had been causing the unusual vibration during high-speed travel.
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  1. 3 not exact (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not precise or strictly accurate.

    lacking precision, exactness, or strict adherence to a set of rules or facts.

    Example

    The movie is a loose translation of a very famous historical novel.

    Example

    The journalist provided a loose summary of the closed-door negotiations, focusing on the general atmosphere rather than specific policy agreements.
  2. 4 free or roaming (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not tied up or kept in a cage.

    not confined, imprisoned, or tethered; free from physical restraint.

    Example

    The neighbor's dog is loose again and running around the park.

    Example

    Authorities warned residents to stay indoors after reports that several exotic animals were loose following the storm damage at the sanctuary.
  3. 5 to release (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to let something go or set it free from a trap or grip.

    to set free from restraints or to release a projectile.

    Example

    The archer took a deep breath and loosed the arrow at the target.

    Example

    The commander loosed his cavalry upon the retreating flank, hoping to end the engagement before nightfall.

    Usage

    Often used with 'on' or 'upon' when releasing a force or feeling.
  4. 6 rugby play (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical British English Sport

    the part of a rugby game where the ball is moving and not in a set position.

    the phase of play in rugby where the ball is in open play rather than in a scrum or line-out.

    Example

    He is a very fast player who performs best in the loose.

    Example

    The flanker's ability to dominate in the loose proved decisive during the final twenty minutes of the match.
    • open play
    • set piece
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *lausaz Old Norse laussbor. Middle English loos English loose From Middle English loos, los, lous, from Old Norse lauss, from Proto-Germanic lausaz, whence also -less, leasing; from Proto-Indo-European lewh₁- (“to untie, set free, separate”), whence also lyo-, -lysis, via Ancient Greek.

Word family
Idioms16 entries

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