Looking up...
loose
/luːs/
not firmly fixed
The screws on the chair are loose, so it wobbles.
The screws are not tight, causing instability.
general
not firmly or tightly fixed in place
She wore a loose dress to the beach.
The dress was not tight-fitting.
The knot was too loose to hold the package.
The knot was not tight enough.
Often describes clothing, objects, or connections that are not snug or secure.
general
not bound or contained; free or released
The prisoner was loose in the yard.
The prisoner was not confined.
The dog was running loose in the park.
The dog was not on a leash.
Can imply freedom from restraint or confinement.
general
not strict or exact; relaxed
The teacher had a loose interpretation of the rules.
The teacher was not strict.
Often used to describe rules, morals, or control.
Collocations
loose changesmall coinsloose cannonunpredictable or uncontrollable personloose endsunfinished mattersloose lipscareless talk
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with similar words
'Loose' describes something not tight or secure, while 'lose' means to fail to keep or win, and 'loosen' means to make less tight. Example: 'Don't lose your keys!' vs. 'The knot is too loose.'
Gold Rule
Physical vs. Abstract
Use 'loose' for physical objects (e.g., 'a loose screw') and abstract concepts (e.g., 'a loose translation').
Word Origin
From Old Norse 'lauss', meaning 'free, loose, weak'. Entered Middle English via Old French 'los' (loose) and Latin 'laxus' (loose, slack).
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe physical objects (e.g., screws, clothing) or abstract concepts (e.g., rules, morals). Avoid confusion with 'lose' (to fail to keep) or 'loosen' (to make less tight).
Word Breakdown
Old Norse 'lauss'
free, loose, weak
rootEnglish Dictionary