loophole

A loophole is an absence or something vague in a rule or law that allows a person to avoid punishment, as in I was able to keep an alligator in my apartment thanks to a loophole in the housing rules that said only “no dogs allowed.” 

Loopholes often result from poor wording or vague language in a rule or law. Generally, we can expect that anything that is not specifically forbidden or illegal must be allowed. However, this expectation sometimes allows people to get around the law by not violating the exact wording of that law.

For example, a law may say that no one is allowed to walk on the sidewalk after dark. People take advantage of the loophole in this law by skipping, running, or jogging on the sidewalk when it is dark. Technically, they haven’t done anything forbidden by the law so they could not be punished for it.

People who write laws and contracts try to avoid potential loopholes by using very specific language. Parents often have to do the same thing to avoid their children getting around their rules.

Example: The companies used a loophole in the tax code to avoid paying taxes by registering themselves as charities.

The first records of loophole come around 1585. It combines loop, meaning “something folded on itself, leaving an opening between parts,” with hole, meaning “an opening.” Originally loophole referred to holes in castles or forts that archers could shoot arrows through.

Loopholes are often used in stories and fairy tales for dramatic effect or to create ironic situations. For example, if the hero is magically prevented from visiting his true love during the day and at night, visiting her at twilight would be a loophole.

In both fiction and the real world, loopholes usually only work once. Governments and rulemakers quickly get rid of them as soon as they know they exist.

What are some other forms related to loophole?

• loopholes (plural noun)

What are some synonyms for loophole?

• technicality

What are some words that share a root or word element with loophole? 

• loop
• hole

What are some words that often get used in discussing loophole?

• law
• rule
• contract
• vague
• interpretation
• omission
• mistake

Loophole is a common word that often refers to creative ways that people avoid breaking the law or the rules.

Obama says banks are very creative. "If there are loopholes and rules to be bent, and arbitrage to be had, they will take advantage of it."

— Patricia Zengerle (@ReutersZengerle) October 6, 2011

CHECK THIS OUT: Meet the 14-year-old boy who used a loophole to run for governor of Vermont! pic.twitter.com/X7AYjHZTUS

— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) August 14, 2018

There is always a loophole… pic.twitter.com/XZEnEP3EN0

— FranklySpeaking (@Frankspeakin69) December 15, 2020

True or False?

A loophole is vague wording in a law or rule that allows for the punishment of as many people as possible.