looser; loosest
1
a
: not rigidly fastened or securely attached
loose planks in a bridge
b(1)
: having worked partly free from attachments
a loose tooth
(2)
: having relative freedom of movement
c
: produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus
a loose cough
d
: not tight-fitting
loose clothing
2
a
: free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation
a lion loose in the streets
spend loose funds wisely
b
: not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding
c
archaic
: disconnected, detached
3
a
: not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement
loose soil
b
: not solid : watery
loose stools
4
a
: lacking in restraint or power of restraint
a loose tongue
b
: lacking moral restraint : unchaste
c
: overactive
specifically
: marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools
loose bowels
6
a
: lacking in precision, exactness, or care
loose brushwork
loose usage
b
: permitting freedom of interpretation
a loose construction of the Constitution
7
: not in the possession of either of two competing teams
a loose ball
a loose puck
looseness
noun
loosed; loosing
1
a
: to let loose (see loose entry 1) : release
loosed the dogs on the prowlers
b
: to free from restraint
2
: to make loose : untie
loose a knot
5
: to make less rigid, tight, or strict : relax
loosed his grip
: to let fly a missile (such as an arrow) : fire
: in a loose manner (see loose entry 1) : loosely
Synonyms
Examples of loose in a Sentence
Adjective
Some of the shingles on the roof were loose.
The rope was tied in a loose knot.
The nails had been pried loose.
Some of the shingles had come loose.
The boat came loose from its moorings and floated out into the harbor.
The ball popped loose from the shortstop's glove.
loose reins on a horse
She was wearing a loose dress.
The dog was wandering loose in the streets.
Verb
The soldiers loosed a volley of rifle fire.
the archers loosed a great volley of arrows at the foot soldiers charging towards them
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordyn Burrell, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2024
This sweater tee is a great piece to nab for the in-between weather, since its loose knit fabric and mock neckline provide warmth, while its short sleeves offer more airflow.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024
Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 27 July 2024
Not sure how to navigate loosing a friend but also my idol.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2024
Don’t let pets run loose: If coyotes live nearby, don’t let pets out without a leash.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for loose 
Adjective
The loose, utility fit already provides a breezy feeling while wearing the shirt, and the 100-percent organic cotton fabric will also help keep you cool even at an all-day outdoor sporting event in August.
—Jordyn Burrell, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2024
This sweater tee is a great piece to nab for the in-between weather, since its loose knit fabric and mock neckline provide warmth, while its short sleeves offer more airflow.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024
Verb
As open-source security was rising to become a top priority for CISA and the national security establishment, OpenAI and Microsoft loosed ChatGPT and generative artificial intelligence on the world.
—Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 27 July 2024
Not sure how to navigate loosing a friend but also my idol.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024
Adverb
Right around this time, a gust of wind knocks loose a dead branch from a nearby tree, landing with a thud on Rose’s backyard shed.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2024
Don’t let pets run loose: If coyotes live nearby, don’t let pets out without a leash.
—Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for loose
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near loose
Cite this Entry
“Loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loose. Accessed 3 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
loose
1 of 2 adjective
looser; loosest
1
a
: not firmly fastened or securely attached
a loose tooth
b
: no longer attached
a boat loose from its moorings
c
: not tight-fitting
2
a
: not shut in, tied up, or held back
a lion loose in the streets
b
: not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding
loose sheets of pages
3
: not dense or compact
loose dirt
cloth of loose weave
4
: not respectable : immoral
loose conduct
5
: not tightly drawn or stretched : slack
6
: not exact or careful
a loose guess
loose
adverb
loosely
adverb
looseness
noun
Medical Definition
loose
adjective
looser; loosest
1
a
: not rigidly fastened or securely attached
b(1)
: having worked partly free from attachments
a loose tooth
(2)
: having relative freedom of movement
c
: produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus
a loose cough
2
a
: not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement
loose connective tissue
b
: not solid : watery
loose stools
3
: overactive
specifically
: marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools
loose bowels
4
: not tightly drawn or stretched
loose skin
loosely
adverb
looseness
noun
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