loosely
Americanadverb
-
in a way that is not secure, tight, or restrained.
Cover the chicken loosely with foil so the spices don't burn.
After filling up, the driver loosely closed the gas cap, which subsequently fell off as they headed down the highway.
-
in a way that is not firm, rigid, or taut.
Roll the cut strip of fabric loosely, with the pattern side in.
A chain, secured at the top and bottom but hanging loosely against the rock, assists with the final steep ascent.
-
in a way that is relaxed or limber.
Bend forward with your head and arms hanging down loosely.
-
(of a structure or arrangement) in a way that is not compact and allows space between parts or components.
The flour should be loosely packed and fluffy, rather than tamped into a solid block.
The superficial fat layer is made up of tightly packed fat cells, whereas in the deeper layers the cells are more loosely arranged.
-
in a way that is not strict or precise.
Romania was made famous in the West by the legend of Dracula, based loosely on Vlad the Impaler.
The term is often used rather loosely to refer to any group with identifiable shared characteristics.
-
in a way that has few restraints and allows for freedom of independent action.
The cooperative buys organic soybeans from a loosely organized group of independent Michigan growers, and resells the beans to customers in Japan and elsewhere.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of loosely
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When she created “Hell’s Kitchen,” the jukebox musical loosely based on her early life in Manhattan, Keys drew energy from her deep belief in the project.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026
That’s not because the travel industry has a hard-and-fast rule about when to buy flights, but because the loosely understood best practice of a one-to-three-month advance window for nonholiday travel hasn’t arrived yet.
From Slate • May 12, 2026
In these systems, the semiconductor and insulating layer bond together much more strongly instead of remaining loosely connected by van der Waals forces.
From Science Daily • May 9, 2026
Allen also posted about an indie game he developed called "Bohrdom," described as a "skill-based, non-violent" fighting game "derived from a chemistry model that is itself loosely based on reality."
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
An oversize watch hung loosely from her wrist.
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
