loosen

[ loo-suh n ]

/ ˈlu sən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR loosen ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

to become loose or looser (sometimes followed by up): His hold loosened. Your shoes will loosen up with wear.

Nearby words

loose-leaf, loose-limbed, loose-lipped, loose-tongued, loosebox, loosen, loosening of association, loosening of associations, loosestrife, loosestrife family, loosey-goosey

Origin of loosen

First recorded in 1350–1400, loosen is from the Middle English word loosnen. See loose, -en¹

Related forms

loos·en·er, noun

Can be confused

loose loosen lose loss

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for loosen

Two years later, he had released all Soviet dissidents from prison and was beginning to loosen the reins on Soviet bloc countries.
How the Fall of the Berlin Wall Radicalized Putin|Masha Gessen|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not even the knowledge gleaned from all the books in the world can loosen the grasp of human sadness.
How Depression Could Save Your Life|Nick Romeo|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Add a dash of milk to loosen, although you want the mixture thick.
Cat Cora’s Valentine’s Day Menu for Single People|Cat Cora|February 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Past attempts to loosen the grip of taxi cartels have been thwarted by the industry.
Uber and Its Enemies|Jim Epstein|February 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

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 Planners|Nina Strochlic|December 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Avon now managed to loosen the loop sufficiently 260 to slip it off the imprisoned leg.
The Great Cattle Trail|Edward S. Ellis
"Tell one of the surgeons to come at once," was the Colonel's order, while he knelt to loosen his clothing.
In the Van; or, The Builders|John Price-Brown
With such dangers in his path, it is a grave responsibility to loosen the restraints which hold such a young man to virtue.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Loosen collar, waist bands, and unhook corset, or cut the laces behind.
The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI)|Various
I heard some gate close after that, and mamma's arms seemed to loosen from me, and I knew then I was not dying.'
Heriot's Choice|Rosa Nouchette Carey

British Dictionary definitions for loosen

loosen

/ (ˈluːsən) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

loosener, noun

Word Origin for loosen

C14: from loose

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