Loosen

/ˈluː.sən/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To make or become less tight or tense.

She decided to loosen her grip on the steering wheel to relax her hands.

To allow something to become less strict or severe.

The school administration decided to loosen the dress code for the winter season.

To remove restraints or restrictions.

The new policy aims to loosen regulations on small businesses.

To cause something to become less rigid or solid.

He used warm water to loosen the clogged drain.

To free from confinement or restraint.

They planned to loosen the bonds that held the captured animal.

Middle English: from loose + -en

loosen the reins

To reduce control or restrictions in a situation.

loosen up

To become more relaxed or less tense.

loosen one's belt

To relax one's standards or expectations.

loose

Not tight or firmly fixed.

loosening

The act of making something less tight.

looseness

The quality of being loose.

To relax or chill out.

After a long week, I just want to loosen and hang out.

To loosen up, especially in social situations.

He had a few drinks to loosen his nerves before the presentation.