loo

¹

[loo]

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.

verb (used with object)

looed, looing 

1. to subject to a forfeit at loo.

loo

²

[loo]

noun

British Informal.

plural

loos 

1. toilet.

loo

³

[loo]

verb (used with or without object)

Chiefly Northern U.S.

looed, looing ,

plural

loos .

1. low.

loo

⁴

[loo]

noun

plural

loos , looed, looing .

1. Scots.,  love.

loo

¹

/ luː /

noun

1. a gambling card game

2. a stake used in this game

loo

²

/ luː /

noun

1. an informal word for lavatory

loo

³

/ luː /

verb

1. a variant spelling of lou

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of loo¹

C17: shortened form of lanterloo, via Dutch from French lanterelu, originally a meaningless word from the refrain of a popular song

Origin of loo²

C20: perhaps from French lieux d'aisance water closet

Example Sentences

The head of the production company behind hit TV drama Adolescence has joked that they won so many Emmys it was nearly impossible to even make a trip to the loo during the ceremony.

From BBC

"My wife was pretty cross when I first said I bought it, she said she would stay once it had a flushing loo, which is pretty reasonable."

From BBC

She says it's not always been a pleasant experience, recalling one instance where she says she had to physically show a steward her stoma bag before she was allowed to use an accessible loo.

From BBC

"The lower part is where you put your solid waste," she says, pointing to a loo in a small cubicle that looks like something you might find at a very old campsite.

From BBC

But those with a penchant for leisurely loo visits should take note: The Thrones come with a time limit.

From Los Angeles Times