loosen

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "loosen" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe or talk about making something less tight or releasing something. For example: "I need to loosen the belt on my jeans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stir, add a splash of the cooking water to loosen, if necessary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If this happens, just cover it and rest it for half an hour in a warm place to let it loosen up before giving it a quick knead again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With around 30,000 new intakes, the UK will be marginally ahead of the US and Canada – but it could well fall behind unless we follow Australia and the US and loosen visa restrictions.

The Guardian

Updated at 7.07pm AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 7.03pm AEST08:03 Now the Triple J DJs have said the Daft Punk title should be "loosen off your pants", I know full well I'll never hear it the same way again.

The Guardian

Persuading China to loosen its currency peg to the dollar may sound like mission impossible.

The Guardian - Business

For an architect whose offices are in Berlin and London (he also has a smaller one in Shanghai), the notion that the UK could loosen ties with the European Union is a bleak prospect.

The Guardian - Arts

The European Central Bank's decision on Wednesday to loosen the noose by increasing emergency financial assistance to the nation's banking system was unlikely to provide enough breathing space for Athens to stay solvent and keep pace with debt repayments, as well as public sector salaries and pensions.

The Guardian

Top men's hopes: Age: 32 Current singles ranking: 43 Highest singles ranking: 1 Australian Opens played: 17 Best singles performance: final (2005) Performance in 2013: first round Hewitt's Australian Open campaign could go one of two ways – he could be blown away by a stronger player or loosen up and play some inspired tennis as his career draws to a close.

The Guardian - Sport

Loosen the scallops from their shells but leave them in place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Less comfortable to acknowledge is the national attitude that alcohol is an essential social lubricant: the way to energise, to relax, to loosen up and to bond with others.

The Guardian - Opinion

Run a knife along the lines to loosen them before attempting to lever the pieces out of the tin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "loosen up" when discussing easing tension or becoming more relaxed, as in, "Loosen up a bit before the presentation."

Common error

Avoid confusing "loosen", a verb, with "loose", an adjective. "Loosen" means to make something less tight, while "loose" describes something that is not tight. For example, it's correct to say "Loosen the knot", not "loose the knot".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "loosen" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of making something less tight or restricted. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its application in various contexts, from physical adjustments to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loosen" functions as a transitive verb indicating the act of making something less tight or restricted. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While synonyms like ""slacken"" or ""release"" exist, understanding the nuances of "loosen" ensures precise communication. A key writing tip is to differentiate it from the adjective "loose". By grasping these finer points, you can confidently incorporate "loosen" into your writing, as it is a very common and versatile word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slacken

Implies a reduction in tension or tightness, often in a rope or string.

release

Focuses on freeing something from a constraint or hold.

relax

Suggests easing tension or becoming less strict.

ease

Indicates a lessening of pressure, difficulty, or severity.

free

Emphasizes liberation from constraints or obligations.

untighten

Directly opposes "tighten", indicating a reversal of the tightening process.

unfasten

Implies opening something that was closed or secured.

detach

Focuses on separating something from its point of attachment.

mitigate

Refers to lessening the severity or impact of something negative.

alleviate

Suggests providing relief from suffering, pain, or difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "loosen" in a sentence?

You can use "loosen" to describe making something less tight or restrictive. For example, "I need to "loosen my tie"" or "The government should "loosen regulations"".

What are some synonyms for "loosen"?

Some synonyms for "loosen" include "slacken", "release", "relax", and "ease". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "loose" instead of "loosen"?

No, "loose" is an adjective meaning not tight, while "loosen" is a verb meaning to make something less tight. You should say "loosen the bolt", not "loose the bolt".

What's the difference between "loosen" and "release"?

"Loosen" implies making something less tight or restrictive, while "release" suggests freeing something entirely. You might "loosen a screw" to adjust something, but you would "release a bird from its cage".".