loose
/luːs/ (bre, ipa) · /luːs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlüs/ (ame, mw)
loose — 形容詞
- loosepositive
- loosercomparative
- loosestsuperlative
1. Describing something that moves or can be moved from its proper place, because i
鬆脫的
未固定好而可能移動或脫落的
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.
Walid 注意到廚房櫥櫃門上有顆螺絲鬆脫了。
collocation: loose screw
The dentist told Ayana her front tooth was getting loose.
牙醫告訴 Ayana，她前面那顆牙齒快要鬆脫了。
collocation: loose tooth
A loose wire behind the TV caused the screen to flicker.
電視後面有一條電線鬆脫，導致螢幕不斷閃爍。
Quinn checked the loose railing before letting the children use the stairs.
Quinn 檢查了鬆動的扶手，然後才讓孩子們走樓梯。
During the storm, several roof tiles came loose and fell into the garden.
暴風雨中，好幾片屋瓦鬆脫掉落，掉進了花園裡。
- 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
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'come', 'work', or 'shake' to describe gradual loosening over time (e.g. 'the handle worked loose').
常見錯誤
2. Hair that hangs freely without being tied, pinned, or braided into place.
披散的
未束起而自然垂下的（頭髮）
Hair that hangs freely without being tied, pinned, or braided into place.
Mira wore her hair loose at the summer wedding.
Mira 在夏日婚禮上把頭髮披散下來。
The wind blew Élise's loose hair across her face as she walked along the beach.
Élise 披散的頭髮被風吹到臉上，她沿著海灘走著。
common context: wind and loose hair
Liang prefers to keep his hair short rather than wearing it loose.
Liang 寧可把頭髮剪短，也不願意披散著。
The hairdresser asked if Putri wanted her hair loose or tied up for the photoshoot.
髮型設計師問 Putri 拍照時想讓頭髮披散下來還是綁起來。
用法筆記
Only used of hair — not of ribbons, laces, or other things that can be untied. For those, use 'untied' or 'undone'.
常見錯誤
3. Items that are not packed together, wrapped, or fastened as a single unit, often
散裝的
未捆紮或包裝在一起的零散物品
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.
那家店賣散裝茶葉，按重量計價而非用茶包販售。
collocation: loose tea
Vikram put a handful of loose change into the parking meter.
Vikram 抓了一把零錢投入停車收費器。
collocation: loose change
Mauricio carried a stack of loose papers into the meeting room.
Mauricio 抱著一疊散裝文件走進會議室。
The market sells loose vegetables so customers can choose how many they want.
市場賣散裝蔬菜，客人可以自己決定要買多少。
Kabir found several loose pages from the notebook scattered across his desk.
Kabir 發現好幾頁散落的筆記紙散落在桌上。
- bulk
sold in large quantities without packaging
- unpackaged
formal; without any wrapping
- separate
general; not necessarily about packaging
用法筆記
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
無人控制的
比賽中雙方均未搶到的球
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.
Christopher 跳起來搶到那顆無人控制的球，然後傳給隊友。
collocation: loose ball
The goalkeeper ran out to grab the loose ball before the striker could reach it.
守門員衝出去搶那顆無人控制的球，以免前鋒先碰到。
Anthony fought hard for the loose puck and managed to pass it across the ice.
Anthony 奮力爭搶那顆無人控制的冰球，成功將它傳過冰面。
A loose ball in the penalty area always creates a dangerous moment for both teams.
禁區內出現一顆無人控制的球，對雙方來說都很危險。
用法筆記
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
寬鬆的
不緊貼身體的（衣物）
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.
Ayana 穿了一件寬鬆的棉質連身裙，在夏天高溫下保持涼爽。
collocation: loose dress
After the meal, Walid changed into a loose shirt.
吃完飯後，Walid 換上了一件寬鬆的襯衫。
collocation: loose shirt
The loose shirt that Quinn bought was comfortable but looked untidy for the office.
Quinn 買的那件寬鬆襯衫雖然穿起來舒服，但在辦公室看起來不太整潔。
Putri prefers loose jeans when she travels because they are easier to move in.
Putri 旅行時偏愛穿寬鬆的牛仔褲，因為活動比較方便。
Kabir found that loose sleeves made it difficult to roll up his shirt.
Kabir 發現寬鬆的袖子讓他很難把襯衫袖子捲起來。
- baggy
often implies very loose, possibly shapeless
- roomy
positive connotation; comfortably spacious
- loose-fitting
the standard neutral term
- slouchy
informal; deliberately relaxed fit
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
6. Lacking strictness, exactness, or careful organization — allowing for flexibilit
不嚴謹的
不精確、不嚴格或組織鬆散的
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.
老師做了寬鬆的翻譯，好讓全班能掌握那首詩的主要意思。
collocation: loose translation
Mira accused the committee of using loose accounting rules that hid the real costs.
Mira 指控委員會使用寬鬆的會計規則，隱瞞了實際成本。
collocation: loose rules
Liang found the instructions too loose and wished they were more detailed.
Liang 覺得那些指示太過寬鬆，希望內容能更詳細一些。
The company's loose security rules let anyone enter the building without showing an ID.
公司寬鬆的安全規定讓任何人不用出示證件就能進入大樓。
In a loose sense, a bicycle is a vehicle, though it has no engine.
從廣義上來說，腳踏車算是一種車輛，雖然它沒有引擎。
用法筆記
Used for rules, translations, interpretations, thinking, and organizations. Opposite of 'strict', 'precise', or 'tight'. Frequently seen in criticism ('loose reasoning', 'loose logic').
常見錯誤
7. Behaving in a way that does not follow accepted moral standards, especially rega
放蕩的
道德標準低下，尤指性行為方面
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.
那本舊小說因為描寫了一個離開丈夫的放蕩女人而受到批評。
historical usage: loose woman
Vikram's grandmother called the late-night parties loose living that would shame the family.
Vikram 的祖母稱那些深夜派對為放蕩生活，會讓家族蒙羞。
collocation: loose living
The magazine article accused the celebrity of loose behaviour during her holiday abroad.
那本雜誌文章指責那位名人在國外度假時行為放蕩。
Those scandalous rumours about loose morals nearly ruined the politician's career.
那些關於道德敗壞的醜聞謠言差點毀了那位政治人物的職業生涯。
- 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
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
loose — 動詞
- 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
發洩
不加控制地說出或表達強烈情感
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.
Élise 看到受損的包裹後，發洩出一連串的不滿。
pattern: loose a torrent of
The speaker loosed a stream of jokes that kept the audience laughing for an hour.
那位講者不停地拋出一串笑話，讓觀眾笑了整整一個小時。
After months of silence, Christopher loosed all his frustration in a single angry letter.
沉默了幾個月後，Christopher 在一封憤怒的信中發洩了所有的挫折感。
The politician loosed a volley of accusations against his opponent during the debate.
那位政治人物在辯論中對對手發洩了一連串的指控。
文法句型
loose + noun phrase (a torrent / a stream / a volley)
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. To shoot or discharge an arrow using a bow, or to fire a bullet from a gun.
射出
發射箭矢或子彈
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.
弓箭手射出一支箭，正中靶心。
collocation: loose an arrow
Anthony took a deep breath and loosed three shots at the practice range.
Anthony 深吸一口氣，在練習場上射出了三發子彈。
collocation: loose shots
In the film, the hunter loosed a single arrow and brought down the deer.
電影中，獵人只射出一支箭就放倒了那頭鹿。
The soldier loosed a round from his rifle to signal the start of the attack.
那名士兵從步槍射出一發子彈，作為攻擊開始的信號。
文法句型
loose + arrow/shots/bullet
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. To allow something dangerous, destructive, or extreme to begin and affect a part
釋放
讓危害或混亂發生並影響某地
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.
那場風暴對沿海村莊釋放出毀滅性的力量。
pattern: loose + wave of + on
The government feared the new policy would loose a flood of protests nationwide.
政府擔心這項新政策會在全國各地引發一波抗議浪潮。
The virus was loosed upon the world before scientists could develop a vaccine.
這種病毒在科學家研發出疫苗之前就已在全球擴散開來。
Kabir warned that spreading those rumours would loose chaos upon the whole community.
Kabir 警告說，散布那些謠言會讓整個社區陷入混亂。
文法句型
loose + noun phrase + on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
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
放出
將動物從束縛中釋放，常為了攻擊或追趕
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.
農夫放出狗去追趕夜間闖入田裡的入侵者。
pattern: loose dogs on someone
Walid loosed the guard dog from its chain when he heard someone in the yard.
Walid 聽到院子裡有聲音，便放開了警犬的鏈條。
The officer loosed a trained dog to search for the missing child in the forest.
警察放出一隻受過訓練的警犬到森林中搜尋失蹤的小孩。
Mira refused to loose the horses from the stable until the thunderstorm passed.
Mira 拒絕在雷暴結束之前放馬出馬廄。
The rabbits were loosed into a large pen where they could run freely.
兔子被放進一個大圍欄裡，可以自由奔跑。
文法句型
loose + animal + on/at + target
用法筆記
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').
常見錯誤
5. To pull or adjust a knot, rope, fastener, or grip so that it is no longer pulled
鬆開
解開繩結或放鬆繫繩
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.
Liang 鬆開了帆上的繩結，帆布啪的一聲落了下來。
collocation: loose a knot
Christopher loosed his tie and sighed with relief after the long meeting ended.
Christopher 鬆開領帶，在冗長的會議結束後鬆了一口氣。
collocation: loose a tie
Putri loosed the straps on her backpack to take out her water bottle.
Putri 鬆開背包的帶子，拿出她的水壺。
The sailor loosed the rope and the boat drifted slowly away from the dock.
水手鬆開繩索，船慢慢地漂離碼頭。
文法句型
loose + knot/tie/rope/grip
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
loose — 副詞
1. In a way that is not tight, not controlled, or not restricted; freely, without b
鬆散地
不受限制地；不緊繃地
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.
繩子鬆散地掛在樹枝上，在微風中輕輕搖擺。
adverb after verb: hung loose
Mira let her hair hang loose as she walked through the warm summer rain.
Mira 讓頭髮鬆散地垂著，漫步在溫暖的夏雨中。
The dogs ran loose across the open field, chasing each other in circles.
那些狗在寬闊的田野上自由奔跑，互相追逐嬉戲。
The scarf blew loose in the strong wind and nearly flew off Vikram's neck.
圍巾在強風中被吹得鬆鬆散散，差點從 Vikram 脖子上飛走。
Papers lay scattered loose on the floor after the storm blew the window open.
暴風雨吹開了窗戶，紙張散落一地。
用法筆記
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.