loosely

American  

[loos-lee] / ˈlus li /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• overloosely adverb

Etymology

Origin of loosely

loose ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Each day, residents in loosely organised groups drive around their neighbourhoods trying to spot ICE agents and film them, they say, to hold them to account.

From BBC

The match format is loosely based on high school tennis with three doubles lines, one singles line and “friendlies” — ensuring that beginners, alternates and developing players all get playing time.

From Los Angeles Times

Molly’s messy bun was sitting loosely on top of her head, and she was clutching Anat in...a bear hug?

From Literature

If you feel like you are trapped in a Quentin Tarantino movie loosely based on George Orwell’s “1984,” you may not be alone.

From MarketWatch

He began writing only after having had a varied cosmopolitan life, and in 2009, already in his 40s, published “In Other Rooms, Other Wonders,” a collection of loosely connected short stories.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• almost
• generally
• relatively
• roughly