loose
gb/lˈus/ us/lˈus/
A2
Inglés
~ 5300
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
A2
property
1
not firmly fixed or tight
Not tight or strongly fixed in place; it can move or come off.
Patrón de uso:
a loose [object/clothing]
Error frecuente:
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".
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocaciones
loose screw
|loose tooth
|loose lid
|loose clothes
|loose connection
|loose bolt
Temas
daily life
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
loose [rules/control/structure]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
lax (Strongly suggests that rules are not strict enough and often implies criticism.)
|
relaxed (More positive and gentle; suggests comfortable freedom rather than carelessness.)
Antónimos
strict (Emphasizes closely enforced rules and little freedom.)
|
tight (In this abstract sense, suggests very close control or limited freedom, as in "tight security".)
Colocaciones
loose rules
|loose regulations
|loose control
|loose supervision
|loose structure
|loose discipline
Temas
society
|work
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
[animal/person] is loose
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
captive (Emphasizes being kept in a place and not allowed to leave.)
|
confined (Focuses on being kept within limits or inside a space.)
Colocaciones
on the loose
|a loose dog
|criminals still loose
|animals running loose
|set [someone] loose
Temas
law
|safety
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
loose [material/hair/etc.]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
packed (Emphasizes being pressed together tightly.)
|
solid (Describes a single, continuous mass rather than separate pieces.)
Colocaciones
loose soil
|loose sand
|loose gravel
|loose hair
|loose tea
|loose feathers
Temas
nature
|materials
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
a loose [estimate/translation/definition]
Error frecuente:
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".
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
precise (Emphasizes very exact and detailed information.)
|
strict (Focuses on closely following rules or definitions with no flexibility.)
Colocaciones
loose estimate
|loose translation
|loose definition
|loose sense
|loose interpretation
Temas
communication
|thinking
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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".
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
stay/keep [body part] loose
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
tense (Describes muscles or the body when they are tight and not relaxed.)
|
stiff (Suggests difficulty in moving easily or smoothly.)
Colocaciones
stay loose
|keep your shoulders loose
|loose swing
|loose muscles
|loose, easy movement
Temas
health
|sports
|body
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
loose [talk/thinking/standards]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
careless (General; not giving enough attention or thought.)
|
sloppy (Informal; suggests something done in a messy or lazy way.)
Antónimos
careful (Gives enough thought and attention, especially to detail and correctness.)
|
rigorous (Very strict and thorough, especially in checking facts or following rules.)
Colocaciones
loose talk
|loose with the facts
|loose with the truth
|loose safety standards
|loose thinking
Temas
communication
|morality
|work
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
a loose [woman/girl/lifestyle]
Error frecuente:
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.
Sinónimos
promiscuous (More formal and slightly more neutral; describes having many sexual partners.)
|
easy (Informal and often sexist; implies someone agrees to sex too quickly.)
Antónimos
chaste (Formal; suggests not having sex, especially for moral or religious reasons.)
|
faithful (Focuses on having only one partner and not cheating.)
Colocaciones
loose woman
|loose girl
|loose lifestyle
|loose behavior
Temas
relationships
|morality
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Verbo
literary
C2
action
9
to release or set free
To let someone or something go free, or to send something out strongly.
Patrón de uso:
to loose [something] (on [someone/something])
Error frecuente:
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"*.
Sinónimos
release (Common, neutral verb; used in both everyday and formal contexts.)
|
unleash (Suggests letting something powerful or dangerous go free, often with dramatic effect.)
Antónimos
restrain (Means to hold back or keep something under control.)
|
confine (Means to keep someone or something inside a limited space.)
Colocaciones
loose an arrow
|loose a shot
|loose the dogs
|loose a scream
|loose a barrage
Temas
actions
|violence
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
loose
AFI
GB/lˈus/
US/lˈus/
Sílabas y acento
loose (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (loose)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: loose
- Comparative: looser
- Superlative: loosest
Verb
- Base: loose
- 3rd Person Singular: looses
- Present Participle: loosing
- Past: loosed
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.)
Ejemplos
- 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.)
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.