Loose Definition

loose
adverb
  1. without restraint; "cows in India are running loose"
adjective
  1. not compact or dense in structure or arrangement; "loose gravel"
  2. (of a ball in sport) not in the possession or control of any player; "a loose ball"
  3. not tight; not closely constrained or constricted or constricting; "loose clothing"; "the large shoes were very loose"
  4. not officially recognized or controlled; "an informal agreement"; "a loose organization of the local farmers"
  5. not literal; "a loose interpretation of what she had been told"; "a free translation of the poem"
  6. emptying easily or excessively; "loose bowels"
  7. not affixed; "the stamp came loose"
  8. not tense or taut; "the old man's skin hung loose and grey"; "slack and wrinkled skin"; "slack sails"; "a slack rope"
  9. (of textures) full of small openings or gaps; "an open texture"; "a loose weave"
  10. lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility; "idle talk"; "a loose tongue"
  11. not carefully arranged in a package; "a box of loose nails"
  12. having escaped, especially from confinement; "a convict still at large"; "searching for two escaped prisoners"; "dogs loose on the streets"; "criminals on the loose in the neighborhood"
  13. casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior; "her easy virtue"; "he was told to avoid loose (or light) women"; "wanton behavior"
verb
  1. grant freedom to; free from confinement
  2. turn loose or free from restraint; "let loose mines"; "Loose terrible plagues upon humanity"
  3. make loose or looser; "loosen the tension on a rope"
  4. become loose or looser or less tight; "The noose loosened"; "the rope relaxed"

"Loose" in song lyrics

See how loose is used in real songs:

  • "Ghetto attitude, all hell just broke loose"
    1.4.0. Productions f/ Crunch Lo — So What Now?
  • "Better freak yo body and turn it loose"
    2 Live Crew — Throw the 'D'
  • "I started with rhymes and I get loose!"
    2 Live Crew — Get Loose Now

Usage tips for "loose"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "loose" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for loose to find words that pair well.

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