- free or released from fastening or attachment: a loose end.
- free from anything that binds or restrains; unfettered: loose cats prowling around in alleyways at night.
- uncombined, as a chemical element.
- not bound together: to wear one's hair loose.
- not put up in a package or other container: loose mushrooms.
- available for disposal; unused; unappropriated: loose funds.
- lacking in reticence or power of restraint: a loose tongue.
- lax, as the bowels.
- lacking moral restraint or integrity: notorious for his loose character.
- sexually promiscuous or immoral; unchaste.
- not firm, taut, or rigid: a loose tooth;a loose rein.
- relaxed or limber in nature: He runs with a loose, open stride.
- not fitting closely or tightly: a loose sweater.
- not close or compact in structure or arrangement; having spaces between the parts; open: a loose weave.
- having few restraining factors between associated constituents and allowing ample freedom for independent action: a loose federation of city-states.
- not cohering: loose sand.
- not strict, exact, or precise: a loose interpretation of the law.
- Sports.
- having the players on a team positioned at fairly wide intervals, as in a football formation.
- (of a ball, hockey puck, etc.) not in the possession of either team; out of player control.
- in a loose manner; loosely (usually used in combination): loose-flowing.
- to let loose; free from bonds or restraint.
- to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty.
- to set free from fastening or attachment: to loose a boat from its moorings.
- to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond, fetter, or knot.
- to shoot; discharge; let fly: to loose missiles at the invaders.
- to make less tight; slacken or relax.
- to render less firmly fixed; lessen an attachment; loosen.
- to let go a hold.
- to hoist anchor; get under way.
- to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often followed by off): to loose off at a flock of ducks.
- to become loose; loosen.
- to free oneself; escape: The convicts broke loose.
- cast loose,
- to loosen or unfasten, as a ship from a mooring.
- to send forth; set adrift or free: He was cast loose at an early age to make his own way in the world.
- cut loose,
- to release from domination or control.
- to become free, independent, etc.
- to revel without restraint: After the rodeo they headed into town to cut loose.
- to remain relaxed and unperturbed.
- See entry at let loose.
- on the loose,
- free; unconfined, as, especially, an escaped convict or circus animal.
- behaving in an unrestrained or dissolute way: a bachelor on the loose.
- to release or free, as from confinement: The teacher turned the children loose after the class.
- free or released from confinement or restraint
- not close, compact, or tight in structure or arrangement
- not fitted or fitting closely
- not bundled, packaged, fastened, or put in a container
- inexact; imprecise
- (of funds, cash, etc) not allocated or locked away; readily available
- (esp of women) promiscuous or easy
- (of attitudes, ways of life, etc) immoral or dissolute
- lacking a sense of responsibility or propriety
- (of the bowels) emptying easily, esp excessively; lax
- (of a cough) accompanied by phlegm, mucus, etc
- (of a dye or dyed article) fading as a result of washing; not fast
- very relaxed; easy
- the part of play when the forwards close round the ball in a ruck or loose scrum
- on the loose
- free from confinement or restraint
- on a spree
- in a loose manner; loosely
- (in combination)
- to behave in a relaxed, easy fashion
- to set free or release, as from confinement, restraint, or obligation
- to unfasten or untie
- to make or become less strict, tight, firmly attached, compact, etc
- to let fly (a bullet, arrow, or other missile)
