Home Synonyms loose

Synonyms of loose in English:

loose


See US English definition of loose

See UK English definition of loose

See Spanish definition of suelto

adjective

1‘a loose floorboard’

SYNONYMS
not fixed in place, not secure, insecure, unsecured, unattached
detached, unfastened
wobbly, rickety, unsteady, movable
ANTONYMS

secure, tight

2‘she wore her hair loose’

SYNONYMS
untied, unpinned, unbound, hanging free, down, flowing, floppy

3‘there's a wolf loose in the woods’

SYNONYMS
free, at large, at liberty, on the loose, escaped
unconfined, untied, unchained, untethered, unsecured, unshackled, unfastened, unrestricted, unbound
freed, let go, liberated, released, set loose
ANTONYMS

secure

4‘the loose interpretation of a particular ruling’

SYNONYMS
vague, indefinite, inexact, imprecise, ill-defined, unrigorous, unmeticulous
broad, general, rough, non-specific, inexplicit
liberal
ANTONYMS

literal, narrow

5‘a loose jacket’

SYNONYMS
baggy, loose-fitting, easy-fitting, generously cut, slack, roomy, boyfriend
oversized, shapeless, bagging, lax, hanging, sagging, sloppy, slouchy
ANTONYMS

tight


verb

1‘the cattle were loosed on the common’

SYNONYMS
free, set free, unloose, turn loose, set loose, let loose, let go, release, liberate
untie, unchain, unfetter, untether, unfasten, unpen, unleash, unclick
ANTONYMS

confine

2‘he loosed the reins a little’

SYNONYMS
relax, slacken, loosen
weaken, lessen, reduce, diminish, moderate, soften
ANTONYMS

tighten

3‘Brian loosed off a shot though the back of the car’

SYNONYMS
fire, discharge, shoot, eject, catapult, let go, let fly with

Phrases

    on the loose

    ‘a serial killer was on the loose’


    SYNONYMS
    free, at liberty, at large, escaped, set loose, unconfined, unrestrained, roaming, unbound, unrestricted, untied, unchained, unshackled, unfettered
    on the run, fugitive
    informal on the lam
    break loose

    ‘the tethered horses broke loose’


    SYNONYMS
    escape, make one's escape, get away, get free, break free, free oneself
    run off, run away, make a break for it, make a run for it, bolt, take to one's heels
    at a loose end

    ‘why don't you stay to eat, if you're at a loose end?’


    SYNONYMS
    with nothing to do, unoccupied, unemployed, at leisure, idle, purposeless, aimless, adrift, with time to kill
    bored, twiddling one's thumbs, kicking one's heels
    ANTONYMS

    busy

    let loose

    1‘she let the python loose’


    SYNONYMS
    free, set free, unloose, turn loose, set loose, let go, release, liberate
    untie, unchain, unfetter, untether, unfasten, unpen, unleash

    2‘she let loose a graceless snort’


    SYNONYMS
    emit, give, burst out with, give forth, send forth
    shout, yell, bellow