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
Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
Interviews and discussions ran longer and looser, and since the set itself was so quiet, these talky segments emphasized the unsettling absence of background noise.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Kate Wieczorek, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
As a result, a driver may loose their speedometer information and rearview camera image.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024
Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024
The complaint notes cracked equipment in the engine room and pieces of cargo being shaken loose.
—Lea Skene and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loose 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Operating in loose cooperation with Lebanese insurgents, these militias wreaked havoc on Israeli forces and their collaborators.
—Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
Interviews and discussions ran longer and looser, and since the set itself was so quiet, these talky segments emphasized the unsettling absence of background noise.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
Individuals will loose trust in their company leadership decision-making abilities if organizational changes negatively impact the majority of the workforce.
—Kate Wieczorek, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
As a result, a driver may loose their speedometer information and rearview camera image.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024
Adverb
His clothing hung loose, his complexion seemed blanched, his vision blurred in and out.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024
The complaint notes cracked equipment in the engine room and pieces of cargo being shaken loose.
—Lea Skene and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loose
Dictionary Entries Near loose
Cite this Entry
“Loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loose. Accessed 26 Nov. 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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