Meaning & use
fit loose
Last updated
Meaning
phraseintransitiveinformal
To be too big for the body and not tight; to have a lot of extra room.
Grammar: Used after a subject, often a piece of clothing: The shirt fits loose. No object.
Patterns
- something fits loose
- fit loose on someone
These jeans fit loose around the waist, so I need a smaller size.
He likes shirts that fit loose because they are cooler in summer.
The dress fits loose on me, but I can wear a belt.
Common combinations
- fit loose on someone
- The jacket fits loose on my shoulders.
- fit too loose
- These shoes fit too loose; I might trip.
- fit loose and comfortable
- The pants fit loose and comfortable, perfect for lounging.
Synonyms and how they differ
- baggy
- Baggy describes a style that is deliberately loose; fit loose just states the size is too big.
- roomy
- Roomy suggests comfortable extra space; fit loose often suggests it is not the right size.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: fit loose or lose?
fit loose vs lose
Lose means to no longer have something; loose means not tight. 'Fit loose' is about size, not losing something.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'fit loose' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Fit loose' is an intransitive phrase: the shirt fits loose. Option 1 uses it correctly. Option 2 adds an object 'me' directly, which is wrong. Option 3 puts 'me' after the adverb, which is not natural. Option 4 uses 'to me', which is not used with 'fit loose'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fit loose”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.