ENGLISH
REFERENCE

loosely

adv.
US //ˈɫusɫi// UK //lˈuːsli// loose·ly
  1. 1 not tightly (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    in a way that is not firm or tight.

    in a manner that lacks physical tension or firm attachment.

    Example

    She tied the scarf loosely around her neck so it wouldn't feel too hot.

    Example

    The cables were hung loosely between the two towers to allow for thermal expansion during the peak of summer.

    Usage

    Usually modifies a verb describing how something is attached or held.
  2. 2 approximately or generally (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    in a way that is not exact or strictly accurate.

    indicating a lack of strict precision or a general approximation in description or classification.

    Example

    The film is loosely based on a true story from the 1920s.

    Example

    The term is used loosely by the general public to describe any flying insect, though biologists apply it to a specific family.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the past participle 'based' or to modify verbs of speaking and defining.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 imprecise language (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    you use this when you are giving a general idea but your words are not perfectly correct.

    used as a sentence adverbial to indicate that the following statement is an approximation or uses non-technical language.

    Example

    Loosely speaking, a tomato is a vegetable in the kitchen, even if it is a fruit to a scientist.

    Example

    Loosely, the project can be categorised as a success, though several key performance indicators were not fully met.

    Usage

    Often appears at the beginning of a sentence followed by 'speaking'.
Origin

From Middle English lously; equivalent to loose + -ly.

© 2026 English Reference