loose-leaf

[ loos-leef ]

/ ˈlusˌlif /

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adjective

(of a book, notebook, etc.) consisting of individual leaves held in a binder (loose-leaf binder ), as by rings that open and close, in such a way as to allow their removal, return, or replacement without tearing.

of or for use with a loose-leaf binder: loose-leaf paper.

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of loose-leaf

First recorded in 1900–05

Words nearby loose-leaf

loose-footed, loose forward, loose head, loose-jointed, loose-joint hinge, loose-leaf, loose-limbed, loose-lipped, loosely, loose metal, loosen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use loose-leaf in a sentence

As of Thursday night, the brothers remained on the loose, last seen in northern France.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre|Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Has L.A. figured out how to stop the epidemic it set loose on the world?
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Dec 29-Jan 4, 2014|William Boot|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Biden is, of course, famous for being a bit loose in his public remarks.
Joe Biden: ‘I’ll Kill Your Son’|Olivia Nuzzi|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was pinned to the cement for his refusal to go along with an arrest for selling loose cigarettes.
The Wildly Peaceful, Human, Almost Boring, Ultimately Great New York City Protests for Eric Garner|Mike Barnicle|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The lads can enjoy a good pop shot, but should a woman come, all hell breaks loose.
The UK’s War on Porn: ‘Proof That Men Making These Rules Do Not See Women as Equals’|Aurora Snow|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sol laughed out of his whiskers, with a big, loose-rolling sound, and sat on the porch without waiting to be asked.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
She was holding the back of her chair with one hand; her loose sleeve had slipped almost to the shoulder of her uplifted arm.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
"I call you," the policeman said, and stripping the saddle and bridle from his sweaty horse, turned him loose to graze.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
For good or ill, the torrent of rebellion was suffered to break loose, and it soon engulfed a continent.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Not a zephyr ruffled the leaf of a rose, and a soft breathing fragrance bathed his reposing senses.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for loose-leaf

loose-leaf

adjective

(of a binder, album, etc) capable of being opened to allow removal and addition of pages

noun

a serial publication published in loose leaves and kept in such a binder

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012