loosen
[loo-suh n]
- to unfasten or undo, as a bond or fetter.
- to make less tight; slacken or relax: to loosen one's grasp.
- to make less firmly fixed in place: to loosen a tooth.
- to let loose or set free from bonds, restraint, or constraint.
- to make less close or compact in structure or arrangement.
- to make less dense or coherent: to loosen the soil in a garden.
- to relax in strictness or severity, as restraint or discipline: to loosen restrictions on trade.
- to relieve (the bowels) of their constipated condition.
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- to become loose or looser (sometimes followed by up): His hold loosened. Your shoes will loosen up with wear.
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Origin of loosen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
slacken, relax, ease, loose, undo, unlock, untie, alleviate, unscrew, unloose, extricate, unclasp, unfasten, disconnect, unbuckle, separate, disjoin, deliver, free, dischargeExamples from the Web for loosen
Contemporary Examples
Two years later, he had released all Soviet dissidents from prison and was beginning to loosen the reins on Soviet bloc countries.
Not even the knowledge gleaned from all the books in the world can loosen the grasp of human sadness.
Add a dash of milk to loosen, although you want the mixture thick.
Past attempts to loosen the grip of taxi cartels have been thwarted by the industry.
Spurred by this success, Austin and Benedetto plan to loosen control over the guest list even more for future events.
A Most Illegal Adventure with New York City’s Wildest Underground Event PlannersNina Strochlic
December 16, 2013
Historical Examples
My arms have starved for you so—do you think they're going to loosen now?
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
He will prolong your life and loosen every button on your waistcoat.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
Then he sought to loosen the rings that held the coat of mail.
Opera Stories from WagnerFlorence Akin
Do not use a spoon, as that will not loosen the grains sufficiently.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
He tried to loosen his neck-band; it seemed to be choking him.
The Gentleman From IndianaBooth Tarkington
loosen
- to make or become less tight, fixed, etc
- (often foll by up) to make or become less firm, compact, or rigid
- (tr) to untie
- (tr) to let loose; set free
- (often foll by up) to make or become less strict, severe, etc
- (tr) to rid or relieve (the bowels) of constipation
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Word Origin
C14: from loose
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for loosen
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper