# loosen

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈluːsn̩/ · frequency rank #17,891

## Definitions
1. To make loose.
2. To become loose.
3. To disengage (a device that restrains).
4. To become unfastened or undone.
5. To free from restraint; to set at liberty.
6. To relieve (the bowels) from constipation; to promote defecation.
7. To create a breach or rift between (two parties).
8. To sail away (from the shore).

## Etymology
From loose + -en.

## Easily confused with
- **lose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loosen-vs-lose)
- **loser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loosen-vs-loser)
- **louse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loosen-vs-louse)
- **looser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loosen-vs-looser)
- **loon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loon-vs-loosen)
- **loos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loos-vs-loosen)
- **loose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loose-vs-loosen)
- **looked** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/looked-vs-loosen)
- **lessen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lessen-vs-loosen)
- **Larsen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/larsen-vs-loosen)
- **looney** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/looney-vs-loosen)
- **looped** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/looped-vs-loosen)
- **loosely** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/loosely-vs-loosen)

## Common misspellings (7)
`lloosen`, `looesn`, `loosenn`, `loosne`, `loossen`, `losoen`, `olosen`

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