Loose

(of textures) full of small openings or gaps

Synonyms

Open

Similar to

Coarse

Harsh

Examples

A loose weave

Make loose or looser

Synonyms

Loosen

Examples

Loosen the tension on a rope

Having escaped, especially from confinement

Similar to

Free

Examples

Dogs loose on the streets

Criminals on the loose in the neighborhood

Emptying easily or excessively

Synonyms

Lax

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

Loose bowels

Grant freedom to; free from confinement

Turn loose or free from restraint

Examples

Let loose mines

Not affixed

Synonyms

Unaffixed

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

The stamp came loose

Not literal

Synonyms

Free

Liberal

Similar to

Inexact

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

A loose interpretation of what she had been told

Casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior

Similar to

Unchaste

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

He was told to avoid loose (or light) women

Not tense or taut

Synonyms

Slack

Similar to

Lax

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

The old man's skin hung loose and grey

Without restraint

Synonyms

Free

Examples

Cows in India are running loose

Become loose or looser or less tight

Synonyms

Loosen

Relax

Type of

Weaken

Examples

The noose loosened

Lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility

Synonyms

Idle

Similar to

Irresponsible

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

A loose tongue

Not officially recognized or controlled

Synonyms

Informal

Similar to

Unofficial

Examples

A loose organization of the local farmers

Not carefully arranged in a package

Similar to

Unpackaged

Examples

A box of loose nails

Not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

Antonyms

Compact

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

Loose gravel

Not tight; not closely constrained or constricted or constricting

Also

Lax

Antonyms

Tight

Derivation

Looseness

Examples

Loose clothing

The large shoes were very loose

(of a ball in sport) not in the possession or control of any player

In category

Athletics

Sport

Similar to

Uncontrolled

Examples

A loose ball