# loose

> English word · Verb · IPA /luːs/ · frequency rank #3,243

## Definitions
1. To let loose, to free from restraints.
2. To unfasten, to loosen.
3. To make less tight, to loosen.
4. Of a grip or hold, to let go.
5. To shoot (an arrow).
6. To set sail.
7. To solve; to interpret.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *lausaz
Old Norse laussbor.
Middle English loos
English loose
From Middle English loos, los, lous, from Old Norse lauss, from Proto-Germanic *lausaz, whence also -less, leasing; from Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- (“to untie, set free, separate”), whence also lyo-, -lysis, via Ancient Greek.

## Easily confused with
- **los** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-los)
- **love** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-love)
- **lost** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lost)
- **lose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lose)
- **loss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-loss)
- **lots** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lots)
- **lowe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lowe)
- **lore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lore)
- **loot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-loot)
- **lope** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lope)
- **loser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-loser)
- **Louie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-louie)
- **lousy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lousy)
- **lotte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-lotte)
- **louse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-louse)
- **Louise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-louise)
- **loosen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-loosen)
- **looser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-looser)
- **loosely** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-loosely)
- **luce** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-luce)

## Common misspellings (5)
`lloose`, `looes`, `loosse`, `losoe`, `olose`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/loose