loins

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "loins" is correct and may be used in written English.
It is generally used to refer to the area around the hips and lower abdomen. For example, you could say, "The knight girded up his loins in preparation for the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And yet few, if any, have had more problems with God at the ballot box from rumours that he is a Muslim to doubts among Catholic and Jewish voters to repeated "pastor eruptions".This is a serious worry for the Democrats as they gird their loins for the general election.

The Economist

Notice how luxuriantly the shower gel foams on the heroine's loins?

The Economist

Were he still alive, Sir Peter would have doubtless been amused to see how the "phylogenesis" of Formula One cars the sequence of changes that have occurred during their evolution has resulted in a beast with the body of a fish, the wings of a bird and the loins of a cheetah.

The Economist

If he becomes leader of Britain's third party, can he be trusted to knuckle down at last and do some serious work As he girds his loins for the party's two-month leadership election, Mr Kennedy at 39 is at least bestirring himself to refute the allegation that he is lazy, disorganised and chronically late for appointments.

The Economist

Instead of seeking to cool the loins of the youngsters altogether, they should be allowed publicly to register their union by using sigheh, an ancient practice in Shia Islam that lets people marry temporarily.

The Economist

GIRD your loins, true believers: The Economist's elite squad of highly-trained live-bloggers is laying siege to the cable news channels as the results roll in from Texas, Ohio, and maybe even those two other states.

The Economist

So he sought more stable employment, which he eventually found at America's largest hog slaughterhouse.Smithfield Foods' plant at Tar Heel, North Carolina, turns some 32,000 pigs a day into hams and loins.

The Economist

The most sensitive parts of the horse when ridden are the mouth and the loins, particularly in jumping.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There may also be a dull pain in the loins, from stretching of the kidney capsule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Half of the hair is piled in a hairdress of matted locks, half of a third eye is visible on the forehead, a tiger skin covers the loins, and serpents are used as ornaments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These include the veins that collect blood from the muscles and coverings of the loins and from the walls of the abdomen, from the reproductive organs, from the kidneys, and from the liver.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "gird your loins", ensure the context implies preparing for something challenging or demanding.

Common error

Avoid using "loins" in contexts where a literal anatomical reference is inappropriate or could be misinterpreted. The term often carries sexual or archaic connotations, so consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "loins" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the lower abdomen, groin, and genitalia. In idiomatic expressions like "gird your loins", it functions as part of a verbal phrase indicating preparation. According to Ludwig, it is correct and appropriate to use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "loins" is a grammatically correct noun with a history of both literal and figurative use. It commonly refers to the lower abdomen, groin, and genitalia, but is also found in the idiomatic expression "gird your loins", meaning to prepare for something challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica, demonstrating its prevalence in news and encyclopedic contexts. When deciding to use this word, make sure you are considering its potential for sexual connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

groin area

Refers to a more specific anatomical location within the general area of the loins.

hip region

Emphasizes the skeletal structure and outer contour of the area.

lower abdomen

Focuses on the abdominal aspect of the loins area.

seat of procreation

A more figurative way to describe the origin of offspring.

source of offspring

Another figurative alternative that shifts the emphasis to the origin.

gird oneself

Idiomatic expression meaning to prepare for action or exertion, alluding to tightening a belt around the loins.

sexual desire

Emphasizes the sexual connotations often associated with the term.

erotic feelings

Another alternative focuses on the sexual meaning.

area of arousal

Focuses on the physical response to sexual stimulation.

get ready

Simplified version of the idiomatic expression implying to prepare for action or exertion.

FAQs

How can I use "loins" in a sentence?

You can use "loins" to refer to the lower abdomen, groin, and genitalia, or in the idiomatic expression "gird your loins" to mean preparing for something difficult. For example, "The athlete felt a strain in his "groin area", near his loins" or "They girded their loins for the upcoming challenge".

What does "gird your loins" mean?

"Gird your loins" is an idiomatic expression that means to prepare oneself for something difficult or challenging. It's similar to saying "get ready" or brace yourself.

Are there alternative ways to refer to the "loins"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use terms like "groin area", "lower abdomen", or, more figuratively, "seat of procreation".

Is it appropriate to use the word "loins" in formal writing?

The appropriateness of using "loins" in formal writing depends on the context. While anatomically correct, it can carry sexual or archaic connotations. In some contexts, using more clinical or neutral terms like "groin area" or "lower abdomen" may be more suitable.