What does loose mean?
Word: Loose
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Loose means not firmly fixed in place. Clothes that are loose do not fit tightly.
Synonyms: slack
Antonyms: tight
How do you spell loose?
Syllables: loose
Tricky part: Lose is a different word with one o, so the two are easy to mix up. Count the o's before you write.
Watch out for: luse, lowse
Memory tip: Lose has lost an o. Loose clothes have plenty of room, so this word keeps both.
Idioms and Phrases
- at a loose end: having nothing to do Example: "Daniel was at a loose end during the holidays, so he helped Grandpa water the plants."
Loose in a sentence
Example 1: My tooth feels loose and wiggles when I bite.
Example 2: The shoelace came loose halfway through the race.
Example 3: Grandma likes loose cotton shirts in the summer.
Fun Fact
Loose came into English from Old Norse, the language of the Vikings, while its look-alike lose comes from Old English.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
loo__
a) ss
b) ce
c) ze
d) se
Show answer
d) se. The ending is spelt as it is in goose and moose.
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with the given word?
loose
a) spruce
b) truce
c) choose
d) juice
Show answer
c) choose. Choose finishes with a z sound, however similar it looks; the other three end in a soft s sound.
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) loose : tight
b) narrow : broad
c) shallow : deap
d) smooth : rough
Show answer
c) shallow : deap. The opposite of shallow needs ee in the middle; every other pair is spelt correctly, including loose and tight.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
soloe 12345
a) 23415
b) 34125
c) 32415
d) 43215
Show answer
c) 32415. Letters 3, 2, 4, 1 and 5 together give the word that means not tight.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Mia's new shirt is loose. What can you say about it?
a) It hangs away from her body
b) It has a bright flower pattern
c) It was bought in the market
d) It is made of thick cloth
Show answer
a) It hangs away from her body
2. What would you tighten because it is loose?
a) a wobbly screw
b) a folded towel
c) a sharp pencil
d) a ripe banana
Show answer
a) a wobbly screw
