Meaning & use

loose

adjective·Everyday

Not firmly fixed, fastened, or held in place, so that it can move or fall away easily.

See it in a sentence

The dog slipped out through a loose board in the fence before anyone noticed.

She tightened the loose screw so the cabinet door would stop rattling.

A note on using this word

Loose describes something not held firmly; do not confuse it with lose, the verb meaning to misplace or fail to win.

Words with a similar meaning

slackunattachedunsecured

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

tightfixed

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Not tightly controlled, organized, or strict.

The teacher kept a loose structure so students could ask questions freely.

Make it your own

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