Word of the Day: Loose
If something is loose, it’s too big, or it moves when it should be secure. If a person or an animal is loose, it has escaped from confinement, or it’s a person who isn’t very careful. The word “loose” is also the opposite of the adjective “tight.”
- Little Edgar has a loose tooth. He’s probably going to lose it soon.
- The hinge on the door is loose. It has to be fixed.
- These pants feel a little loose. I think I’m losing weight.
- Some kids let a few mice loose in the school as a prank.
- There are a few criminals loose in our neighborhood, so everyone is keeping their doors locked.
- My dog is loose.
To form a verb, add “en” to the end of “loose” to form “loosen.”
- Loosen your tie and relax. The work day is over.
- The government is loosening its restrictions on gun ownership.
- Peter loosened up before the match by stretching and exercising.
- Some practical joker loosened Bill’s front tire and it fell off.
There are a few expressions that make use of the word “loose.”
- The housekeepers find a lot of loose change when they vacuum the couches and chairs. (loose change = money, coins. If you find it, you can keep it.)
- Joe Biden is kind of a loose cannon. You never know what he’s going to say. (loose cannon = a person who says or does things without careful consideration)
- Politicians generally play fast and loose with the truth.
- Older people in the apartment building think that Eva is a loose woman, but she’s actually very conservative.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with L page to see the list of all words starting with letter L. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
