loosely

/ˈluːsli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈluːsli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlüs-lē/ (ame, mw)

loosely — adverb

1. with an attachment that is too weak to keep an object fixed firmly in place, so

1.副詞B1
釋義

with an attachment that is too weak to keep an object fixed firmly in place, so the object can shift or come away

例句

One screw was fastened loosely into the shelf, so Esteban tightened it before loading books.

modifies a verb of attaching (fastened)

Hari tied the rope loosely around the post, and it slipped off within minutes.

collocation: tied loosely

同義詞
  • weakly

    focuses on lack of force or strength in the attachment, rather than the physical slack

  • precariously

    adds a sense of danger or instability (C1 level)

反義詞
  • tightly

    firmly fixed so nothing moves

  • securely

    fixed in a way that prevents movement or separation

用法筆記

Common with verbs describing physical fastening or fixing, such as screw, tie, attach, or hold. The subject is typically an object that can come apart from another object.

常見錯誤

❌She held the rope loosely in her hand and went down the hill.' (talking about a loose grip).
✅She held the rope loosely around the post so it could slide.
💡Sense 1 is about an object not being fixed firmly to something else; for a person's grip, the meaning is closer to sense 3 (not tight).

2. without aiming to be completely exact or accurate in every detail; used when abs

2.副詞B2
釋義

without aiming to be completely exact or accurate in every detail; used when absolute precision is not required

例句

The term 'sustainable' is used loosely in advertising to describe many different practices.

modifies a verb of speaking/categorizing (used)

Aylin loosely translated the German email, giving her boss only the main points.

collocation: loosely translated

同義詞
  • roughly

    similar level of imprecision; common in everyday speech

  • approximately

    slightly more formal, used mainly with numbers or quantities

  • vaguely

    suggests less clarity and more uncertainty than loosely

反義詞
  • exactly

    with complete precision and accuracy

  • strictly

    following rules or definitions closely without exception

用法筆記

Common with verbs of communication, naming, or categorizing (use, translate, describe, define, base on). This is the abstract sense — it has nothing to do with physical attachment.

常見錯誤

❌She loosely tied her hair back before the run.' (when the intended meaning is NOT TIGHTLY).
✅She tied her hair back loosely so it would not pull.
💡For physical looseness of clothing or hair, use sense 3, not sense 2.

3. describing how clothing, fabric, or hair is arranged so that there is extra spac

3.副詞B1
釋義

describing how clothing, fabric, or hair is arranged so that there is extra space or slack and nothing presses firmly against a surface or body

例句

Camille wears her hair loosely tied back so it does not pull at the roots.

modifies a verb of wearing/arranging (tied)

The old linen shirt hung loosely on Quan's thin shoulders.

collocation: hung loosely

同義詞
  • slackly

    specifically about rope or string not being pulled tight; less common for clothing

  • baggily

    for clothing that is deliberately oversized (informal)

反義詞
  • tightly

    pulled close to the body or surface with no extra space

  • snugly

    fitting closely but comfortably

用法筆記

Primarily describes how clothing, fabric, hair, or soft materials fit or are arranged. Contrast with sense 1: sense 1 is about whether something stays attached; sense 3 is about the amount of space or slack between the item and what it covers or surrounds.

常見錯誤

❌The picture hung loosely on the wall.' (if meaning it could fall).
✅The picture was attached loosely to the wall.
💡For objects that might fall off, use sense 1. Sense 3 is for fit, not attachment security.