loose
loose — adjective
- loosepositive
- loosercomparative
- loosestsuperlative
1. Describing something that moves or can be moved from its proper place, because i
Describing something that moves or can be moved from its proper place, because it has not been fixed or fastened tightly enough.
Walid noticed the loose screw on the kitchen cabinet door.
collocation: loose screw
The dentist told Ayana her front tooth was getting loose.
collocation: loose tooth
A loose wire behind the TV caused the screen to flicker.
Quinn checked the loose railing before letting the children use the stairs.
collocation: loose railing
During the storm, several roof tiles came loose and fell into the garden.
phrasal: come loose
- loose screw
- loose tooth
- loose wire
- loose bolt
- loose nail
- come loose
- work loose
- shake loose
- slack
emphasizes lack of tension rather than insecure fixing
- unstable
suggests something may tip or fall, not just move
- unfastened
formal; focuses on the absence of a fastener
Usage Note
Commonly used with 'come', 'work', or 'shake' to describe gradual loosening over time (e.g. 'the handle worked loose').
Common Mistakes
2. Hair that hangs freely without being tied, pinned, or braided into place.
Hair that hangs freely without being tied, pinned, or braided into place.
Mira wore her hair loose at the summer wedding.
The wind blew Élise's loose hair across her face as she walked along the beach.
common context: wind and loose hair
Liang prefers to keep his hair short rather than wearing it loose.
The hairdresser asked if Putri wanted her hair loose or tied up for the photoshoot.
contrast: loose vs tied up
- wear hair loose
- loose hair
- leave hair loose
Usage Note
Only used of hair — not of ribbons, laces, or other things that can be untied. For those, use 'untied' or 'undone'.
Common Mistakes
3. Items that are not packed together, wrapped, or fastened as a single unit, often
Items that are not packed together, wrapped, or fastened as a single unit, often sold individually or by weight rather than in a sealed container.
The shop sells loose tea leaves by weight rather than in bags.
collocation: loose tea
Vikram put a handful of loose change into the parking meter.
collocation: loose change
Mauricio carried a stack of loose papers into the meeting room.
The market sells loose vegetables so customers can choose how many they want.
contrast: loose vs pre-packaged
Kabir found several loose pages from the notebook scattered across his desk.
- loose change
- loose tea
- loose papers
- loose sheets
- loose vegetables
- loose-leaf
- bulk
sold in large quantities without packaging
- unpackaged
formal; without any wrapping
- separate
general; not necessarily about packaging
Usage Note
Particularly common in retail contexts. 'Loose change' = coins not in a wallet or purse; 'loose tea' = tea sold in bulk; 'loose-leaf' = paper that can be added or removed from a binder.
4. In team ball sports where players try to score goals, describing a ball or puck
In team ball sports where players try to score goals, describing a ball or puck that no player has yet gained control of.
Christopher jumped for the loose ball and passed it to his teammate.
collocation: loose ball
The goalkeeper ran out to grab the loose ball before the striker could reach it.
Anthony fought hard for the loose puck and managed to pass it across the ice.
collocation: loose puck [hockey]
A loose ball in the penalty area always creates a dangerous moment for both teams.
- loose ball
- loose puck
- fight for a loose ball
Usage Note
Restricted to sports commentary and analysis. Not used for other kinds of unclaimed objects. 'Loose ball' is most common in basketball and football (soccer); 'loose puck' in ice hockey.
5. Describing clothing that has extra space and does not press against the body, al
Describing clothing that has extra space and does not press against the body, allowing comfortable movement.
Ayana wore a loose cotton dress to stay cool in the summer heat.
collocation: loose dress
After the meal, Walid changed into a loose shirt.
collocation: loose shirt
The loose shirt that Quinn bought was comfortable but looked untidy for the office.
Putri prefers loose jeans when she travels because they are easier to move in.
collocation: loose jeans
Kabir found that loose sleeves made it difficult to roll up his shirt.
- loose dress
- loose shirt
- loose trousers
- loose jeans
- loose sleeves
- loose fit
- baggy
often implies very loose, possibly shapeless
- roomy
positive connotation; comfortably spacious
- loose-fitting
the standard neutral term
- slouchy
informal; deliberately relaxed fit
Usage Note
Opposite of 'tight' in clothing. Can describe specific parts of garments ('loose sleeves', 'loose waistband'). For shoes, 'loose' is less common — 'loose-fitting' or 'roomy' are preferred.
Common Mistakes
6. Lacking strictness, exactness, or careful organization — allowing for flexibilit
Lacking strictness, exactness, or careful organization — allowing for flexibility, errors, or different interpretations.
The teacher gave a loose translation so the class could grasp the poem's main idea.
collocation: loose translation
Mira accused the committee of using loose accounting rules that hid the real costs.
collocation: loose rules
Liang found the instructions too loose and wished they were more detailed.
The company's loose security rules let anyone enter the building without showing an ID.
In a loose sense, a bicycle is a vehicle, though it has no engine.
phrase: in a loose sense
- loose translation
- loose interpretation
- loose rules
- loose sense
- loose reasoning
- loose organization
Usage Note
Used for rules, translations, interpretations, thinking, and organizations. Opposite of 'strict', 'precise', or 'tight'. Frequently seen in criticism ('loose reasoning', 'loose logic').
Common Mistakes
7. Behaving in a way that does not follow accepted moral standards, especially rega
Behaving in a way that does not follow accepted moral standards, especially regarding sexual relationships and personal conduct.
The old novel was criticized for portraying a loose woman who left her husband.
historical usage: loose woman
Vikram's grandmother called the late-night parties loose living that would shame the family.
collocation: loose living
The magazine article accused the celebrity of loose behaviour during her holiday abroad.
collocation: loose behaviour
Those scandalous rumours about loose morals nearly ruined the politician's career.
collocation: loose morals
- loose woman
- loose morals
- loose living
- loose behaviour
- promiscuous
more clinical; focuses on sexual behaviour specifically
- immoral
broader; covers all moral failings, not just sexual
- dissolute
formal; suggests self-indulgent, morally corrupt living
Usage Note
Old-fashioned and often judgmental. Can be offensive if used about a real person. 'Loose woman' in particular is a dated, sexist term. In modern English, this sense appears mostly in historical fiction, moral criticism, or self-aware cliché.
Common Mistakes
Said of a situation that suddenly becomes very noisy, violent, or chaotic.
When the referee made that bad call, all hell broke loose in the stadium.
As soon as the door opened and the shoppers rushed in, all hell broke loose.
have a screw loose
idiomTo be slightly strange, foolish, or mentally unstable in a harmless way.
Anyone who runs a marathon in this heat must have a screw loose.
Quinn's friends joked that she had a screw loose for adopting six cats.
have a loose tongue
idiomTo talk too much and reveal information that should be kept secret.
Don't tell Anthony any secrets — he has a loose tongue and will tell everyone.
The spy was caught because his contact had a loose tongue at the café.
play fast and loose
idiomTo behave irresponsibly or dishonestly, ignoring rules or commitments.
The company played fast and loose with safety regulations until someone got hurt.
Mauricio accused his partner of playing fast and loose with the project funds.
on the loose
idiomFree to move around after escaping from prison, captivity, or control.
Police warned residents that a dangerous criminal was on the loose.
The zoo kept the gates closed after a monkey got on the loose.
all hell broke loose
idiomA situation suddenly becomes very noisy, chaotic, or violent.
When the fire alarm rang, all hell broke loose in the school.
Did all hell break loose when the boss announced the layoffs?
To separate yourself or someone else from a group or influence.
Mina finally broke loose from her controlling parents and moved out.
The startup cut itself loose from the parent company last year.
hang/stay loose
idiomTo remain calm and not worry about things.
Just hang loose and enjoy the concert tonight.
Sara stayed loose even when the exam got difficult.
let loose
idiomTo do something freely without control or restraint.
At the party, everyone let loose and danced wildly.
Why don't you let loose and have some fun for once?
let loose something
idiomTo suddenly make a loud sound or say something forcefully.
The crowd let loose a huge cheer when the team scored.
Diego let loose a string of curses after dropping his phone.
To free someone or something from being held or controlled.
The zookeeper let the lion loose into the enclosure.
Mom finally let my brother loose in the toy store.
To treat someone or something carelessly or without respect.
The company played fast and loose with safety regulations.
Brian played fast and loose with his girlfriend's feelings.
loose — verb
- loosepresent simple I / you / we / they
- looses3rd person singular
- loosing-ing form
- loosedpast simple
1. To say something or express a strong emotion with little self-control, often in
To say something or express a strong emotion with little self-control, often in a sudden rush of words or sound.
Élise loosed a torrent of complaints when she saw the damaged package.
pattern: loose a torrent of
The speaker loosed a stream of jokes that kept the audience laughing for an hour.
After months of silence, Christopher loosed all his frustration in a single angry letter.
The politician loosed a volley of accusations against his opponent during the debate.
pattern: loose a volley of
- loose a torrent of
- loose a stream of
- loose a volley of
- loose a flood of
Grammar Patterns
loose + noun phrase (a torrent / a stream / a volley)
Usage Note
Often followed by 'a torrent of', 'a stream of', or 'a volley of' to indicate the force or quantity of expression. This verb sense is more literary than everyday speech — 'let loose' is more common in conversation.
Common Mistakes
2. To shoot or discharge an arrow using a bow, or to fire a bullet from a gun.
To shoot or discharge an arrow using a bow, or to fire a bullet from a gun.
The archer loosed an arrow that struck the target right in the centre.
collocation: loose an arrow
Anthony took a deep breath and loosed three shots at the practice range.
collocation: loose shots
In the film, the hunter loosed a single arrow and brought down the deer.
The soldier loosed a round from his rifle to signal the start of the attack.
- loose an arrow
- loose a shot
- loose a bullet
- loose a round
Grammar Patterns
loose + arrow/shots/bullet
Usage Note
Formal or literary. In modern everyday English, 'fire' (a gun/arrow) or 'shoot' are far more common. 'Loose an arrow' survives in archery contexts and historical fiction.
Common Mistakes
3. To allow something dangerous, destructive, or extreme to begin and affect a part
To allow something dangerous, destructive, or extreme to begin and affect a particular place or group of people.
The storm loosed a wave of destruction on the coastal villages.
pattern: loose + wave of + on
The government feared the new policy would loose a flood of protests nationwide.
The virus was loosed upon the world before scientists could develop a vaccine.
passive: was loosed upon
Kabir warned that spreading those rumours would loose chaos upon the whole community.
- loose destruction on
- loose chaos upon
- loose a flood of
- loose a wave of
- loosed upon
Grammar Patterns
loose + noun phrase + on/upon + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often used with 'on' or 'upon' to specify the target. The 'upon' variant sounds more dramatic and literary. This sense overlaps with verb/1 (EXPRESS FREELY) but verb/1 is about words/emotions, while verb/3 is about larger destructive forces.
4. To release an animal from a rope, cage, or other restraint, often so that it can
To release an animal from a rope, cage, or other restraint, often so that it can chase, guard, or attack someone.
The farmer loosed his dogs on the intruders who entered the field at night.
pattern: loose dogs on someone
Walid loosed the guard dog from its chain when he heard someone in the yard.
The officer loosed a trained dog to search for the missing child in the forest.
non-aggressive use: search
Mira refused to loose the horses from the stable until the thunderstorm passed.
The rabbits were loosed into a large pen where they could run freely.
passive: were loosed into
- loose the dog
- loose the horses
- loose an animal on
- loose from a chain
- loose into the wild
Grammar Patterns
loose + animal + on/at + target
Usage Note
When the purpose is attack, the preposition 'on' is used ('loose the dog on the thief'). When the purpose is freedom, 'into' or 'from' are used ('loose the birds into the wild').
Common Mistakes
5. To pull or adjust a knot, rope, fastener, or grip so that it is no longer pulled
To pull or adjust a knot, rope, fastener, or grip so that it is no longer pulled tight or held firmly.
Liang loosed the knot on the sail and the canvas dropped down with a flap.
collocation: loose a knot
Christopher loosed his tie and sighed with relief after the long meeting ended.
collocation: loose a tie
Putri loosed the straps on her backpack to take out her water bottle.
The sailor loosed the rope and the boat drifted slowly away from the dock.
- loose a knot
- loose a rope
- loose a tie
- loose a strap
- loose a grip
Grammar Patterns
loose + knot/tie/rope/grip
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'loosen': 'loose' (verb) means to completely undo or let go, while 'loosen' means to make less tight without necessarily undoing fully. In casual use, 'loosen' is far more common for this sense.
Common Mistakes
loose — adverb
1. In a way that is not tight, not controlled, or not restricted; freely, without b
In a way that is not tight, not controlled, or not restricted; freely, without being held in place.
The rope hung loose from the branch, swaying gently in the breeze.
adverb after verb: hung loose
Mira let her hair hang loose as she walked through the warm summer rain.
The dogs ran loose across the open field, chasing each other in circles.
adverb with run: ran loose
The scarf blew loose in the strong wind and nearly flew off Vikram's neck.
Papers lay scattered loose on the floor after the storm blew the window open.
adverb with lay: lay loose
- hang loose
- run loose
- break loose
- cut loose
- come loose
- lay loose
- blow loose
Usage Note
In modern English, 'loose' as an adverb is mostly limited to a few fixed patterns: 'hang loose', 'break loose', 'come loose', 'cut loose', 'let loose', 'run loose'. For most other meanings, 'loosely' is the standard adverb form.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
These four words all describe something that is not properly fixed, but each highlights a different aspect. LOOSE (adj/1) is the most general word, covering any object that can move from where it should be — a loose tooth, screw, wire, or tile. It implies that the fixing is not secure enough. SLACK focuses specifically on lack of tension, not lack of fastening: a slack rope is still tied but has too much give; a slack jaw is relaxed, not 'broken'. UNSTABLE suggests the whole structure might tip or collapse, not just a single part — an unstable shelf could fall even if its screws are tight. UNFASTENED is purely about the absence of a fastener: something unfastened might never have been secured (an unfastened seatbelt), whereas something loose was once fastened and has come undone. For everyday use, LOOSE covers most situations; choose SLACK for ropes/cables/tension, UNSTABLE for risk of collapse, and UNFASTENED for things that were never or are no longer buckled/zipped/buttoned.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'loose' comes from Old Norse 'lauss' (free, empty, untied), which entered English during the Viking settlement period (9th–11th centuries). It is related to Old English 'lēas' (devoid of, false), found in words like 'friendless' (lacking friends). Both trace back to Proto-Germanic '*lausaz' and ultimately to the Indo-European root '*leu-' (to loosen, separate, cut apart). The verb sense developed from the adjective in Middle English, originally meaning 'to set free' and later extending to 'to release an arrow' and 'to express freely.' The modern spelling with double 'o' became standard in the 16th century — early forms included 'lows', 'lois', and 'loos'.
First known use
13th century
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb