loose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'loose' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective (e.g. "Her loose shirt hung off her shoulders") or as a verb (e.g. "She loosened her grip on the doorknob").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2013, the newly appointed head of Qeshm free trade zone spoke of "a vast loose financial mafia" that had been "looting the island's riches en masse".

The Guardian

Unlike many parts of the country where women have shed traditional regional attire, the women of Qeshm and Hormuz mostly wear the colourful bandari pants, loose at the top and tight at the bottom with vibrant embroidery.

The Guardian

But when he stands up we can see he's in some sort of loose straitjacket and he's losing the plot again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Inspired in part by Magnum's recent Postcards From America series, in which a loose group of the renowned agency's photographers collaborated in various locations to report live from the ground – posting work online as they made it – the project was described to me variously as an adventure, an experiment and a laboratory.

The Guardian - Arts

Related: Empire: the outrageous black family drama that's changing the look of US TV There are other reasons to cut the show loose, first and foremost being simple expense.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Related: Dheepan review - Tamil Tiger loose in the urban jungle makes powerful thriller Yorgos Lanthimos's The Lobster got the jury prize: a movie about which I was agnostic: a brilliant absurdist comedy in its first half with some dazzling satire about modern society's reverence for relationships and coupledom.

The Guardian - Film

He ended up ruling out more firmly than ever before the prospect of any kind of deal with the Scottish National party, not just a coalition but even a loose confidence-and-supply arrangement.

The Guardian

In 1989, with the inspired, groundbreaking single Fools Gold and the loose grooves of their debut album, they gave British rock a future, restoring the legacy of the 1960s with a jangling guitar sound and breathing new life into it with the energy of dance music.

The Guardian - Music

Then, on the 17th, Leonard drained that snaking 40-foot birdie putt and all hell broke loose.

The Guardian - Sport

In such a loose monetary context today's figures are a great disappointment and highlight the need for fiscal expansion to support efforts on the monetary side.

The Guardian - Business

Leaning forward to stay perpendicular to the slope, hitting the track mid-foot and trusting my luck on stray rocks, I really cut loose for the first time all week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "loose" to describe physical objects, ensure the context clearly indicates what is not tightly fastened or contained. For abstract uses, consider whether synonyms like "vague" or "unrestrained" might offer greater precision.

Common error

Avoid confusing "loose" (not tight) with "lose" (to misplace or be defeated). A helpful trick is to remember that "loose" has an extra 'o', suggesting something that is open or not contained.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "loose" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of tightness, restraint, or precision. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English, further emphasizing its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "loose" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting a lack of tightness, restraint, or precision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from describing physical objects to abstract concepts. While "loose" enjoys widespread usage across neutral and even professional registers, one must be mindful of the distinction between "loose" and "lose". It is also crucial to choose a semantically similar alternative if more precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free

Indicates a state of not being confined or restricted, whether physically or metaphorically.

unrestricted

Emphasizes the lack of limitations or boundaries, implying a wide range of possibilities or actions.

unrestrained

Emphasizes a lack of control or limitation, suggesting freedom or wildness.

relaxed

Indicates a state of calmness and ease, suggesting freedom from tension or anxiety.

unbound

Highlights the absence of restrictions or constraints, suggesting liberation or independence.

unfettered

Highlights the absence of restraints or impediments, suggesting complete freedom and autonomy.

slack

Focuses on a lack of tension or tightness, often implying a lack of strictness or diligence.

unsecured

Emphasizes a lack of protection or fastening, highlighting vulnerability or risk.

detached

Suggests a lack of connection or attachment, implying a sense of separation or indifference.

flexible

Focuses on the ability to adapt or change easily, implying a lack of rigidity or inflexibility.

FAQs

How can I use "loose" in a sentence?

You can use "loose" in a sentence to describe something that is not tightly fastened, such as "The screw was loose". It can also describe something unrestrained, such as "a loose interpretation".

What is the difference between "loose" and "lose"?

"Loose" describes something not tightly fastened or controlled, while "lose" means to misplace something or be defeated. For example, "My tooth is loose" versus "I don't want to lose the game".

What are some synonyms for "loose"?

Synonyms for "loose" include "slack", "unrestrained", and "free", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "loose" in formal writing?

It's appropriate to use "loose" in formal writing when describing something not tightly bound or strictly defined. However, consider synonyms like "flexible" or "vague" in contexts where precision is essential.