— loosely , adv. — looseness , n.
/loohs/ , adj., looser, loosest , adv. , v. loosed, loosing .
adj.
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.
19. hang or stay loose , Slang. to remain relaxed and unperturbed.
20. 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.
adv.
21. in a loose manner; loosely (usually used in combination): loose-flowing.
22. break loose , to free oneself; escape: The convicts broke loose.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. turn loose , to release or free, as from confinement: The teacher turned the children loose after the class.
v.t.
27. to let loose; free from bonds or restraint.
28. to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty.
29. Chiefly Naut. to set free from fastening or attachment: to loose a boat from its moorings.
30. to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond, fetter, or knot.
31. to shoot; discharge; let fly: to loose missiles at the invaders.
32. to make less tight; slacken or relax.
33. to render less firmly fixed; lessen an attachment; loosen.
v.i.
34. to let go a hold.
35. to hoist anchor; get under way.
36. to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often fol. by off ): to loose off at a flock of ducks.
37. Obs. to become loose; loosen.
[ 1175-1225; (adj.) ME los, loos lauss loose, free, empty; c. OE leas (see -LESS), D, G los loose, free; (v.) ME leowsen, lousen, deriv. of the adj. ]
Syn. 2. unbound, untied, unrestricted, unconfined. 10. libertine, dissolute, licentious. 17. vague, general, indefinite. 27. loosen, unbind. 28. liberate. 32. ease.
Ant. 1. bound. 10. chaste. 32. tighten.