loo

¹ American  

[loo] / lu /

noun

loos plural

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.

loos plural

1. toilet.

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loo ³ American  

[loo] / lu /

verb (used with or without object)

Chiefly Northern U.S.

loos plural

1. low.

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loo ⁴ American  

[loo] / lu /

noun

loos plural

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

Ahead of the sale, Sotheby’s expert David Galperin said the house will install the golden loo in a fourth-floor bathroom within its new Manhattan headquarters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

"It was bonkers. It was hard to go to the loo," he told BBC 5Live Breakfast, "but it was a good evening."

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025

The purported health risks of extended loo time have long circulated through doctors’ offices and news articles.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2025

“Nah, I have to fix the Meagers’ loo.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin