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Looser
2 dictionary results for: Looser
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
loose       [loos] Pronunciation Key adjective, loos·er, loos·est, adverb, verb loosed, loos·ing.
–adjective
1.free or released from fastening or attachment: a loose end.
2.free from anything that binds or restrains; unfettered: loose cats prowling around in alleyways at night.
3.uncombined, as a chemical element.
4.not bound together: to wear one's hair loose.
5.not put up in a package or other container: loose mushrooms.
6.available for disposal; unused; unappropriated: loose funds.
7.lacking in reticence or power of restraint: a loose tongue.
8.lax, as the bowels.
9.lacking moral restraint or integrity; notorious for his loose character.
10.sexually promiscuous or immoral; unchaste.
11.not firm, taut, or rigid: a loose tooth; a loose rein.
12.relaxed or limber in nature: He runs with a loose, open stride.
13.not fitting closely or tightly: a loose sweater.
14.not close or compact in structure or arrangement; having spaces between the parts; open: a loose weave.
15.having few restraining factors between associated constituents and allowing ample freedom for independent action: a loose federation of city-states.
16.not cohering: loose sand.
17.not strict, exact, or precise: a loose interpretation of the law.
18.Sports.
a.having the players on a team positioned at fairly wide intervals, as in a football formation.
b.(of a ball, hockey puck, etc.) not in the possession of either team; out of player control.
–adverb
19.in a loose manner; loosely (usually used in combination): loose-flowing.
–verb (used with object)
20.to let loose; free from bonds or restraint.
21.to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty.
22.Chiefly Nautical. to set free from fastening or attachment: to loose a boat from its moorings.
23.to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond, fetter, or knot.
24.to shoot; discharge; let fly: to loose missiles at the invaders.
25.to make less tight; slacken or relax.
26.to render less firmly fixed; lessen an attachment; loosen.
–verb (used without object)
27.to let go a hold.
28.to hoist anchor; get under way.
29.to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often fol. by off): to loose off at a flock of ducks.
30.Obsolete. to become loose; loosen.
—Idioms
31.break loose, to free oneself; escape: The convicts broke loose.
32.cast loose,
a.to loosen or unfasten, as a ship from a mooring.
b.to send forth; set adrift or free: He was cast loose at an early age to make his own way in the world.
33.cut loose,
a.to release from domination or control.
b.to become free, independent, etc.
c.to revel without restraint: After the rodeo they headed into town to cut loose.
34.hang or stay loose, Slang. to remain relaxed and unperturbed.
35.let loose,
a.to free or become free.
b.to yield; give way: The guardrail let loose and we very nearly plunged over the edge.
36.on the loose,
a.free; unconfined, as, esp., an escaped convict or circus animal.
b.behaving in an unrestrained or dissolute way: a bachelor on the loose.
37.turn loose, to release or free, as from confinement: The teacher turned the children loose after the class.
[Origin: 1175–1225; (adj.) ME los, loos < ON lauss loose, free, empty; c. OE léas (see -less), D, G los loose, free; (v.) ME leowsen, lousen, deriv. of the adj.]

—Related forms
loosely, adverb
looseness, noun

—Synonyms 2. unbound, untied, unrestricted, unconfined. 10. libertine, dissolute, licentious. 17. vague, general, indefinite. 20. loosen, unbind. 21. liberate. 25. ease.
—Antonyms 1. bound. 10. chaste. 25. tighten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
loose       (lōōs)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.   loos·er, loos·est
  1. Not fastened, restrained, or contained: loose bricks.
  2. Not taut, fixed, or rigid: a loose anchor line; a loose chair leg.
  3. Free from confinement or imprisonment; unfettered: criminals loose in the neighborhood; dogs that are loose on the streets.
  4. Not tight-fitting or tightly fitted: loose shoes.
  5. Not bound, bundled, stapled, or gathered together: loose papers.
  6. Not compact or dense in arrangement or structure: loose gravel.
  7. Lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility; idle: loose talk.
  8. Not formal; relaxed: a loose atmosphere at the club.
  9. Lacking conventional moral restraint in sexual behavior.
  10. Not literal or exact: a loose translation.
  11. Characterized by a free movement of fluids in the body: a loose cough; loose bowels.

adv.   In a loose manner.

v.   loosed, loos·ing, loos·es

v.   tr.
  1. To let loose; release: loosed the dogs.
  2. To make loose; undo: loosed his belt.
  3. To cast loose; detach: hikers loosing their packs at camp.
  4. To let fly; discharge: loosed an arrow.
  5. To release pressure or obligation from; absolve: loosed her from the responsibility.
  6. To make less strict; relax: a leader's strong authority that was loosed by easy times.

v.   intr.
  1. To become loose.
  2. To discharge a missile; fire.


[Middle English louse, los, from Old Norse lauss; see leu- in Indo-European roots.]

loose'ly adv., loose'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean not tautly bound, held, or fastened: loose reins; a lax rope; slack sails.
Antonym: tight

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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