loo

¹ American  

[loo] / lu /

noun

plural

loos

1. a card game in which forfeits are paid into a pool.

2. the forfeit or sum paid into the pool.

3. the fact of being looed.

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verb (used with object)

looed, looing

1. to subject to a forfeit at loo.

loo ² American  

[loo] / lu /

noun

British Informal.

plural

loos

1. toilet.

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loo ³ American  

[loo] / lu /

verb (used with or without object)

Chiefly Northern U.S.

looed, looing,

plural

loos

1. low.

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loo ⁴ American  

[loo] / lu /

noun

plural

loos, looed, looing

1. Scots. love.

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loo ¹ British  

/ luː /

noun

1. a gambling card game

2. a stake used in this game

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loo ² British  

/ luː /

noun

1. an informal word for lavatory

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loo ³ British  

/ luː /

verb

1. a variant spelling of lou

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Etymology

Origin of loo¹

First recorded in 1665–75; short for lanterloo, from Dutch lanterlu, from French lantur(e)lu, a special use of a meaningless refrain of an old song

Origin of loo²

First recorded in 1935–40; of uncertain origin; perhaps from French lieux (d'aisances) “latrines, toilets,” literally, “places of ease”; perhaps a pun on the place name Waterloo, based on water closet

Example Sentences

Those hoping for bolder spending are likely to be disappointed, said Alex Loo at TD Securities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

Scientists at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore have identified a protein that may help restore the brain's ability to produce new cells as it ages.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

Loo joined NewsNation so she could be closer to family members, who she said were spared from the danger and destruction.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2025

Her cousin, Tashica Loo, told the BBC: "For someone who is bubbly and kind and caring, to just be taken away for what? It's heart-breaking."

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2023

Loo leaped up onto a dune, and then the air filled with shrieking, as the boy began to scream wildly, kicking his legs in front of him, punching the air.

From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder