If something is loose, it’s too big, or it moves when it should be secure. If a person or an animal is loose, it has escaped from confinement, or it’s a person who isn’t very careful. The word "loose" is also the opposite of the adjective "tight."
Little Edgar has a loose tooth. He’s probably going to lose it soon.
The hinge on the door is loose. It has to be fixed.
These pants feel a little loose. I think I’m losing weight.
Some kids let a few mice loose in the school as a prank.
There are a few criminals loose in our neighborhood, so everyone is keeping their doors locked.
My dog is loose.
To form a verb, add "en" to the end of "loose" to form "loosen."
Loosen your tie and relax. The work day is over.
The government is loosening its restrictions on gun ownership.
Peter loosened up before the match by stretching and exercising.
Some practical joker loosened Bill’s front tire and it fell off.
His tire fell off.
There are a few expressions that make use of the word "loose."
The housekeepers find a lot of loose change when they vacuum the couches and chairs. (loose change = money, coins. If you find it, you can keep it.)
Joe Biden is kind of a loose cannon. You never know what he’s going to say. (loose cannon = a person who says or does things without careful consideration)
Politicians generally play fast and loose with the truth.
Older people in the apartment building think that Eva is a loose woman, but she’s actually very conservative.
His tire fell off.