loosen
to unfasten or undo, as a bond or fetter.
to make less tight; slacken or relax: to loosen one's grasp.
to make less firmly fixed in place: to loosen a tooth.
to let loose or set free from bonds, restraint, or constraint.
to make less close or compact in structure or arrangement.
to make less dense or coherent: to loosen the soil in a garden.
to relax in strictness or severity, as restraint or discipline: to loosen restrictions on trade.
to relieve (the bowels) of their constipated condition.
to become loose or looser (sometimes followed by up): His hold loosened. Your shoes will loosen up with wear.
Origin of loosen
1Other words from loosen
- loos·en·er, noun
Words that may be confused with loosen
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for loosen
/ (ˈluːsən) /
to make or become less tight, fixed, etc
(often foll by up) to make or become less firm, compact, or rigid
(tr) to untie
(tr) to let loose; set free
(often foll by up) to make or become less strict, severe, etc
(tr) to rid or relieve (the bowels) of constipation
Origin of loosen
1Derived forms of loosen
- loosener, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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