loose
To let loose, to free from restraints.
Verb 4 meanings
To let loose, to free from restraints.
To unfasten, to loosen.
To make less tight, to loosen.
Of a grip or hold, to let go.
Adjective 4 meanings
Not fixed in place tightly or firmly.
“This wheelbarrow has a loose wheel.”
Not held or packaged together.
“You can buy apples in a pack, but they are cheaper loose.”
Not under control.
“The dog is loose again.”
Not fitting closely.
“I wear loose clothes when it is hot.”
Noun 4 meanings
The release of an arrow.
All play other than set pieces (scrums and line-outs).
Freedom from restraint.
A letting go; discharge.
Interjection 1 meaning
begin shooting; release your arrows
Etymology
From Middle English loos, los, lous, from Old Norse lauss, from Proto-Germanic *lausaz, whence also -less, leasing; from Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- (“to untie, set free, separate”), whence also lyo-, -lysis, via Ancient Greek.
Similar and opposite words
LOOSE at a glance
LOOSE has 5 letters and scores 5 points in Scrabble (L 1 + O 1 + O 1 + S 1 + E 1) and 6 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,178 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with loose
All rhymesOne letter away
- GOOSE6
- MOOSE7
- NOOSE5
- LOUSE5
- ROOSE5
- BOOSE7
- WOOSE8
- LOOIE5
- LOWSE8
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