loose
Relaxed, not taut
Loose is mainly an adjective whose meaning is the opposite tight, tied, or secured: My belt came loose while I was lecturing. Discipline is pretty loose around here. The cattle got loose and wandered into the neighbor’s garden.
Loose is a noun in the expression on the loose, which means unconfined or escaped.
The use of loose as a verb is somewhat literary and means to release (make loose) or to relax (let loose).
People typically use loosen rather than loose for these meanings.
Released from binding
- unfastenedNot held closed
- unbuckledReleased a fastener
- unzippedOpened via slider
- unlacedNot fastened with strings
unclasped · unhooked · unbuttoned · dangling · hanging · drooping · sagging · baggy
Not domesticated or controlled
- unbridledWithout any restraint
- uncheckedNot controlled or limited
- uncontrolledLacking any regulation
- rampantFlourishing beyond control
uninhibited · free-wheeling · abandoned · carefree · breezy · relaxed · casual · easygoing
Nearly accurate but inexact
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
- inexactLacking full accuracy
- roughUneven in surface
- generalWidespread, not specialized
broad · flexible · liberal · free · relaxed · unrigorous · sloppy · careless
Puffing out dramatically
- drapedHung in loose folds
- cascadingFalling in stages
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
- trailingFollowing behind something
floating · fluttering · rippling · swaying · streaming · gossamer · diaphanous · voluminous
Tending to teeter
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- ricketyUnsteady, liable to collapse
- unsteadyLacking balance or stability
- insecureLacking self-assurance
precarious · tottering · shifting · rocking · wiggling · jiggling · unsettled · unreliable
Not joined or connected
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- separateTo set apart
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- dislodgedMoved from fixed position
unmoored · adrift · untethered · unanchored · disjointed · unconnected · independent · unaffiliated
Deliberately cruel without reason
- libertineOne lacking moral restraint
- licentiousSexually unrestrained behavior
- fastSpeedy, or skip eating
- easyRequiring minimal effort
immoral · unchaste · indiscriminate · profligate · dissolute · debauched · lewd · lascivious
untied
Released from binding
- unfastenedNot held closed
- unbuckledReleased a fastener
- unzippedOpened via slider
unlaced · unclasped · unhooked · unbuttoned · dangling · hanging · drooping · sagging · baggy · roomy
wild
Not domesticated or controlled
- unbridledWithout any restraint
- uncheckedNot controlled or limited
- uncontrolledLacking any regulation
rampant · uninhibited · free-wheeling · abandoned · carefree · breezy · relaxed · casual · easygoing · laid-back
approximate
Nearly accurate but inexact
general · broad · flexible · liberal · free · relaxed · unrigorous · sloppy · careless · lax
billowing
Puffing out dramatically
trailing · floating · fluttering · rippling · swaying · streaming · gossamer · diaphanous · voluminous · unstructured
wobbly
Tending to teeter
insecure · precarious · tottering · shifting · rocking · wiggling · jiggling · unsettled · unreliable · uncertain
unattached
Not joined or connected
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- separateTo set apart
- freeWithout payment or restriction
dislodged · unmoored · adrift · untethered · unanchored · disjointed · unconnected · independent · unaffiliated · solitary
wanton
Deliberately cruel without reason
- libertineOne lacking moral restraint
- licentiousSexually unrestrained behavior
- fastSpeedy, or skip eating
easy · immoral · unchaste · indiscriminate · profligate · dissolute · debauched · lewd · lascivious · permissive
- loose endsUnresolved matters needing attention
- loosen upBecome less tense
- loose changeMiscellaneous small currency
- let looseRemove restraints from
- cut looseRelease from restraint
- break looseSuddenly become free
loosen, loosened, loosening, loosely, loose coupling, loose-lipped, loosens, loosing, looses