loose
gb/lˈus/ us/lˈus/
A2
Αγγλικά
~ 5300
Σημασίες
0 σημασίες
adjective
A2
property
1
not firmly fixed or tight
Not tight or strongly fixed in place; it can move or come off.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
a loose [object/clothing]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners often confuse "loose" (adjective) with the verb "lose". "Loose" describes something that is not tight (a loose shirt), while "lose" means to not have something anymore or to fail to win (lose your keys, lose a game). They may also write *"loosen"* when they need the adjective, e.g. *"a loosen screw"* instead of "a loose screw".
Συνώνυμα
slack (Often used for ropes, lines, or belts that are not tight; slightly narrower use than "loose".)
|
wobbly (Emphasizes unsteady movement more than the idea of not being tightly fixed.)
|
baggy (Used mainly for clothing that is too large or hangs loosely.)
Αντώνυμα
tight (Describes something pulled firmly or fitting closely so it does not move.)
|
secure (Focuses on being safely and firmly fixed so it will not come off.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
loose screw
|loose tooth
|loose lid
|loose clothes
|loose connection
|loose bolt
Θέματα
daily life
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- The table is wobbly because one of the legs is loose.
- These jeans are too loose around the waist.
- Make sure the lid isn't loose before you pick up the jar.
- I think I have a loose tooth and it hurts when I chew.
- The electrician fixed a loose connection in the wall socket.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- My shoes feel loose, so I tie them again.
- One screw is loose, and the chair moves.
- This shirt is too loose for me.
- Check that the cap is not loose on the bottle.
adjective
B2
property
2
not strict or firmly controlled
Not very strict; allowing people to do many things in their own way.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
loose [rules/control/structure]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes say *"free rules"* or *"open rules"* when they mean rules that are not very strict. In this context, "loose rules" or "lax rules" are more natural. Also, "loose" here does not mean "lost"; it is about how strongly rules are applied.
Συνώνυμα
lax (Strongly suggests that rules are not strict enough and often implies criticism.)
|
relaxed (More positive and gentle; suggests comfortable freedom rather than carelessness.)
Αντώνυμα
strict (Emphasizes closely enforced rules and little freedom.)
|
tight (In this abstract sense, suggests very close control or limited freedom, as in "tight security".)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
loose rules
|loose regulations
|loose control
|loose supervision
|loose structure
|loose discipline
Θέματα
society
|work
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- The school has very loose rules about what students can wear.
- Management kept loose control over the project, letting the team decide most details.
- The company’s loose structure makes it easy for people to move between departments.
- He grew up with loose discipline at home and could stay out as late as he wanted.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- My boss has loose rules about working from home.
- Their parents are loose with bedtimes.
- The club has loose membership rules.
- Security was too loose at the event.
adjective
B1
property
3
free, not tied or contained
Not locked in, not tied, or not caught; free to move around.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
[animal/person] is loose
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with the idea of being "relaxed". When you say someone is "loose" in this sense, it means they are not tied up or not caught, not that they are calm.
Συνώνυμα
free (Broad word for not controlled or imprisoned; does not always suggest escape.)
|
at large (Often used for criminals who have escaped or have not been caught.)
Αντώνυμα
captive (Emphasizes being kept in a place and not allowed to leave.)
|
confined (Focuses on being kept within limits or inside a space.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
on the loose
|a loose dog
|criminals still loose
|animals running loose
|set [someone] loose
Θέματα
law
|safety
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- Several dangerous animals are still loose after the storm damaged the zoo.
- The police warned that the suspect was still loose in the city.
- A dog got loose from its yard and was running in the street.
- They set the birds loose and watched them fly away.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- Two prisoners are still loose.
- The horse got loose and ran into the field.
- Be careful; there is a snake loose in the house.
- They set the children loose in the playground.
adjective
B2
property
4
not compact; in separate pieces
Not in one solid piece; made of many small parts that move easily.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
loose [material/hair/etc.]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners may think "loose" here means "not fixed" in the same way as a loose screw. In this sense, it describes the structure of a material (many small parts together) rather than whether it is attached to something.
Συνώνυμα
granular (Technical-sounding; used for materials made of small grains like sand or sugar.)
|
unbound (More formal; suggests not tied or held together as one unit.)
Αντώνυμα
packed (Emphasizes being pressed together tightly.)
|
solid (Describes a single, continuous mass rather than separate pieces.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
loose soil
|loose sand
|loose gravel
|loose hair
|loose tea
|loose feathers
Θέματα
nature
|materials
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- Plant the seeds in loose soil so the roots can grow easily.
- Be careful walking on the loose gravel near the edge of the path.
- She shook out her braid and let her hair fall loose over her shoulders.
- We buy loose tea instead of tea bags because it has better flavor.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- There is a lot of loose sand on the road.
- I found some loose stones on the path.
- Her long hair was loose and not in a ponytail.
- I put the loose tea leaves in a small box.
unknown
C1
property
5
not exact or precise
Not very exact or clear; only gives a general idea.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
a loose [estimate/translation/definition]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes use "about" instead of an adjective, saying *"an about price"* or *"an about number"*. In English you say "a loose estimate" or "an approximate number".
Συνώνυμα
approximate (Neutral; focuses on being close but not exact, often in numbers or measurements.)
|
vague (Suggests lack of clear detail or exact limits, sometimes more negative.)
Αντώνυμα
precise (Emphasizes very exact and detailed information.)
|
strict (Focuses on closely following rules or definitions with no flexibility.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
loose estimate
|loose translation
|loose definition
|loose sense
|loose interpretation
Θέματα
communication
|thinking
|education
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- These numbers are only a loose estimate of the total cost.
- It’s a very loose translation that changes the tone of the original poem.
- I’m using the word "friend" in a loose sense here.
- The report gives only a loose definition of what counts as "success".
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- I can give you a loose number, but not an exact price.
- This is a loose translation, but you can understand the story.
- He uses the term in a loose way.
- We only have a loose idea of the plan.
adjective
B2
property
6
relaxed, not tense or stiff
Not tight or stiff; the body or movement feels easy and relaxed.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
stay/keep [body part] loose
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes think "loose" here means "not controlled" in a bad way. In sports and movement, a "loose" body is usually positive: it means relaxed and ready to move.
Συνώνυμα
relaxed (General word for not tense; applies to mind and body.)
|
limber (Focuses on being flexible and able to move easily, especially in sports or dance.)
Αντώνυμα
tense (Describes muscles or the body when they are tight and not relaxed.)
|
stiff (Suggests difficulty in moving easily or smoothly.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
stay loose
|keep your shoulders loose
|loose swing
|loose muscles
|loose, easy movement
Θέματα
health
|sports
|body
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- Try to keep your shoulders loose while you breathe deeply.
- Golf coaches often tell players to have a loose swing.
- After stretching, my legs finally felt loose again.
- Boxers try to stay loose before a fight so they can move quickly.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- Shake your hands and keep them loose.
- The dancer’s body was loose and moved easily.
- He tries to stay loose before the exam.
- My neck is not loose; it feels very tight.
adjective
B2
property
7
careless or not properly controlled
Not careful or strict enough about important things like facts, safety, or rules.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
loose [talk/thinking/standards]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes confuse this with "loose" meaning "not exact". A "loose estimate" is neutral, but "loose with the truth" is negative and suggests dishonesty or carelessness.
Συνώνυμα
careless (General; not giving enough attention or thought.)
|
sloppy (Informal; suggests something done in a messy or lazy way.)
Αντώνυμα
careful (Gives enough thought and attention, especially to detail and correctness.)
|
rigorous (Very strict and thorough, especially in checking facts or following rules.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
loose talk
|loose with the facts
|loose with the truth
|loose safety standards
|loose thinking
Θέματα
communication
|morality
|work
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- The minister’s loose talk about war caused panic in the markets.
- They were criticized for being loose with the facts in the article.
- The company’s loose safety standards led to several accidents.
- There is a lot of loose thinking in that report, with no real evidence.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- His loose talk made people angry.
- The writer is loose with the truth.
- Loose safety rules can be very dangerous.
- This is loose thinking; it is not careful.
adjective
informal
C1
property
8
sexually promiscuous (disapproving)
Having sex with many people and not following traditional sexual rules; usually a negative or critical word.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
a loose [woman/girl/lifestyle]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes use "loose" for any friendly or open person, which can sound insulting. Used about a person, especially a woman, "loose" usually means sexually promiscuous and is often judgmental.
Συνώνυμα
promiscuous (More formal and slightly more neutral; describes having many sexual partners.)
|
easy (Informal and often sexist; implies someone agrees to sex too quickly.)
Αντώνυμα
chaste (Formal; suggests not having sex, especially for moral or religious reasons.)
|
faithful (Focuses on having only one partner and not cheating.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
loose woman
|loose girl
|loose lifestyle
|loose behavior
Θέματα
relationships
|morality
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- The movie unfairly portrays her as a loose woman just because she dates several men.
- He accused her of leading a loose lifestyle, which many people found offensive.
- Descriptions of her as "loose" say more about the writer’s attitudes than about her behavior.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- Some people called her loose, but that was rude.
- He thinks any woman who goes to clubs is loose, which is not fair.
- The word "loose" for a person is often negative.
Ρήμα
literary
C2
action
9
to release or set free
To let someone or something go free, or to send something out strongly.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
to loose [something] (on [someone/something])
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners almost always use "loosen" or "release" instead of the verb "loose" in modern English. The verb "loose" is rare and mainly literary or dramatic ("loose an arrow"). In normal speech, say "release the dogs" or "let the dogs loose", not *"loose the dogs"*.
Συνώνυμα
release (Common, neutral verb; used in both everyday and formal contexts.)
|
unleash (Suggests letting something powerful or dangerous go free, often with dramatic effect.)
Αντώνυμα
restrain (Means to hold back or keep something under control.)
|
confine (Means to keep someone or something inside a limited space.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
loose an arrow
|loose a shot
|loose the dogs
|loose a scream
|loose a barrage
Θέματα
actions
|violence
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- The archer drew his bow and loosed an arrow into the sky.
- The commander loosed his troops on the enemy at dawn.
- She loosed a wild scream when she heard the news.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- The hunter loosed an arrow at the target.
- The general loosed his army on the city.
- He loosed a loud shout in the empty hall.
Γραμματική
Λημματική μορφή
loose
IPA
GB/lˈus/
US/lˈus/
Συλλαβές και τόνος
loose (1 συλλαβή)
Stress on 1st syllable (loose)
Τύποι λέξης
Adjective
- Base: loose
- Comparative: looser
- Superlative: loosest
Verb
- Base: loose
- 3rd Person Singular: looses
- Present Participle: loosing
- Past: loosed
Οικογένεια λέξεων
Εκφράσεις
a loose cannon
1/ə lˈus kˈænən/
idiom
dangerously unpredictable person
A person who is hard to control and may cause problems because they act in wild or unpredictable ways.
Παραδείγματα
- The new player is a bit of a loose cannon both on and off the field.
- Some voters see him as a loose cannon who could damage the party’s image.
- She can be a loose cannon in meetings, saying things that surprise everyone.
at a loose end
1/ˈæt ə lˈus ˈɛnd/
idiom
unsure what to do with time
Having no plans or work and not knowing what to do with your time. (Mainly British English.)
Παραδείγματα
- If you’re at a loose end this afternoon, why don’t you come over for coffee?
- He always feels at a loose end when his girlfriend is away for the weekend.
- I was at a loose end on Sunday, so I went for a long walk.
at loose ends
1/ˈæt lˈus ˈɛndz/
idiom
having free time with no plans
Having free time with no plans and feeling unsure what to do. (Mainly American English.)
Παραδείγματα
- I’m at loose ends this evening, so I might watch a movie.
- She found herself at loose ends after she quit her job.
- If you’re at loose ends this weekend, give me a call.
cut loose
1/kˈʌt lˈus/
phrasal verb
informal
to free yourself and act freely
To stop being controlled or careful and behave in a very free, fun, or wild way; or to separate yourself from someone’s control.
Παραδείγματα
- Everyone’s been working so hard; they just want to go out and cut loose tonight.
- She finally cut loose from her controlling parents and moved to another city.
- On Fridays, people in the office tend to cut loose a bit and joke around.
hang loose
1/hˈæŋ lˈus/
idiom
informal
relax and stay calm
To relax, not worry, and not rush; to be calm and take things easy.
Παραδείγματα
- Just hang loose and enjoy the weekend.
- We’re not in a hurry, so let’s hang loose for a while at the café.
- He told me to hang loose until he called back with more information.
loose change
1/lˈus t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
small coins carried separately
Small coins that you carry in your pocket, bag, or a container, not arranged in rolls.
Παραδείγματα
- I found some loose change under the sofa.
- Do you have any loose change for the parking meter?
- He keeps his loose change in a jar by the door.
loose ends
1/lˈus ˈɛndz/
fixed phrase
small unfinished details
Small parts of a plan, project, or situation that are not finished or not decided yet.
Παραδείγματα
- We just need to tie up a few loose ends before we can launch the website.
- The report is almost done, but there are still some loose ends to deal with.
- She spent the afternoon tying up loose ends at work before her vacation.
on the loose
1/ˈɔn ðə lˈus/
idiom
free and not under control
Free and not controlled or caught, especially after escaping.
Παραδείγματα
- Several prisoners are still on the loose after last night’s riot.
- There’s a bear on the loose near the campsite, so stay inside your cabins.
- The police warned that the attacker was on the loose and could be dangerous.
play fast and loose (with)
1/plˈeɪ fˈæst ˈænd lˈus wˈɪθ/
idiom
act carelessly or dishonestly
To act in a careless or dishonest way with something important, such as rules, facts, or other people’s feelings.
Παραδείγματα
- The company has been playing fast and loose with safety regulations.
- You can’t play fast and loose with the truth in a court of law.
- Politicians should not play fast and loose with people’s hopes.
let loose
1/lˈɛt lˈus/
phrasal verb
informal
act freely without control
To behave in an uncontrolled or free way, often for fun.
Παραδείγματα
- After the exams, we all went out and let loose.
- She really lets loose when she dances.
let loose
2/lˈɛt lˈus/
phrasal verb
to release or fully express
To allow something or someone to be free, or to express feelings, emotions, or energy very strongly.
Παραδείγματα
- The children were finally let loose in the park after the long car ride.
- He let loose a stream of angry words at the referee.
- As soon as the music started, the crowd let loose and began to dance.