loosely

[loos-lee]

adverb

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. in a way that is relaxed or limber.

   Bend forward with your head and arms hanging down loosely.

4. (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.

5. 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.

6. 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

• overloosely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of loosely¹

loose ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Cooper's third film as a director chronicles a middle-aged man finding solace in stand-up comedy after splitting from his wife, and is loosely based on the life of British comic John Bishop.

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The fundamental question of whether ESG investment pays off also remains without a conclusive answer, not least because the category itself is so loosely defined.

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On a first hearing, I did not find “11,000 Strings” particularly linear but rather like a loosely structured meditation that arrives, shimmers and departs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They loosely agreed on the outline, but no firm deal or timeline was put in place.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And so we had been loosely talking about doing a special.

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Related Words

• almost 
• generally 
• relatively 
• roughly