How Do You Spell LOOSEN?

Pronunciation: [lˈuːsən] (IPA)

The word "loosen" is spelled with a double "o" and "e". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is /ˈluːsn/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "oo" sound, similar to the word "moon", and the second syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, like in the word "pen". The double "o" in "loosen" indicates that the vowel sound is prolonged, while the "e" at the end of the word indicates that the preceding vowel sound is short.

LOOSEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Loosen is a verb that refers to the act of making something less tight or firm. It entails relaxing or releasing the tension or constraint on an object or a part of the body. When we loosen something, we typically aim to create more freedom of movement or to reduce the level of restriction.

    In a physical context, to loosen can involve actions such as untightening a bolt, untying a knot, or undoing a button. By doing so, we are making the object less rigid, allowing it to move or come apart more easily. Similarly, if a muscle or joint feels tight or constricted, we may perform specific exercises or stretches to loosen it, thereby improving flexibility and relieving tension.

    Loosening can also be used metaphorically, such as in the context of loosening restrictions or rules. For instance, a government may loosen regulations to facilitate economic growth or a school may loosen its dress code to allow more freedom of expression. In this sense, loosening implies relaxing or reducing the severity or strictness of certain regulations or standards.

    In summary, to loosen is to make something less tight, firm, or restrictive. It involves actions aimed at releasing tension, facilitating movement, or reducing constraints. Whether in a physical or metaphorical sense, loosening allows for more flexibility and freedom.

  2. To free from tightness; to render less tight or compact; to relax; to become loose.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for LOOSEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for LOOSEN

Etymology of LOOSEN

The word "loosen" originated from the combination of two Old English words, "losian" and "læs" (later "loose").

1. "Losian" was a verb that meant "to unfasten" or "to release". It derived from the Proto-Germanic root *lausōną, meaning "to cut off" or "to detach".

2. "Læs" or "loose" was an adjective that meant "free" or "unbound". It came from the Proto-Germanic word *lausaz, which had a similar meaning.

Over time, the two words merged to form the Middle English verb "loosen", which retained the sense of freeing or unfastening something. Today, "loosen" is used to describe the act of making something less tight, bound, or fixed.

Idioms with the word LOOSEN

  • loosen your grip The idiom "loosen your grip" means to relax or ease your control or hold on something, both literally and figuratively. It suggests letting go of rigid control or excessive influence over a situation or person, allowing for more flexibility, freedom, or autonomy.
  • loosen your grip/hold The idiom "loosen your grip/hold" means to relax control or reduce the level of strictness or possessiveness in a situation or relationship. It involves letting go of excessive control and allowing more freedom or flexibility.
  • loosen sb's tongue 1 The idiom "loosen sb's tongue" means to make someone talk more freely or openly, usually by relaxing their inhibitions or by giving them alcohol. It implies that the person is more likely to reveal secrets, speak their mind, or share personal information when their tongue is "loosened."
  • loosen sb's tongue 2 To "loosen someone's tongue" means to make someone more talkative and willing to share information or secrets. It implies that something or someone has made the person feel more comfortable or less inhibited, encouraging them to speak freely.
  • loosen tongue The idiom "loosen tongue" refers to someone becoming more talkative or revealing more information than they usually would, typically due to the influence of alcohol, relaxation, or a lack of inhibition.
  • loosen up (sb) The idiom "loosen up (sb)" means to relax, become less tense or uptight. It typically refers to someone becoming less guarded or reserved in their behavior or attitude.
  • loosen your tongue The idiom "loosen your tongue" means to become more talkative or to speak more openly and freely. It refers to the idea of relaxing or removing the restraint that usually inhibits one's speech, thereby enabling them to express their thoughts or feelings more easily.
  • loosen up The idiom "loosen up" means to relax or become less tense or rigid, both physically and mentally. It refers to letting go of stress, inhibitions, or strictness and allowing oneself to be more comfortable, flexible, and open.
  • loosen sm up The idiom "loosen sm up" typically means to relax someone, make them feel more comfortable, or help them unwind. It can refer to both physical and mental relaxation.
  • loosen sm or sth up The idiom "loosen someone or something up" means to make someone or something more relaxed, less tense, or less rigid. It can refer to either physical or mental relaxation or the reduction of stiffness or formality.
  • loosen the apron strings To "loosen the apron strings" means to allow someone, typically a child or someone dependent, to have more freedom or independence. It implies a loosening of parental or controlling authority, allowing the person to become more self-reliant and explore the world on their own terms.

Similar spelling words for LOOSEN

Conjugate verb Loosen

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have loosened
you would have loosened
he/she/it would have loosened
we would have loosened
they would have loosened
I would have loosen
you would have loosen
he/she/it would have loosen
we would have loosen
they would have loosen

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been loosening
you would have been loosening
he/she/it would have been loosening
we would have been loosening
they would have been loosening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would loosen
you would loosen
he/she/it would loosen
we would loosen
they would loosen

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be loosening
you would be loosening
he/she/it would be loosening
we would be loosening
they would be loosening

FUTURE

I will loosen
you will loosen
he/she/it will loosen
we will loosen
they will loosen

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be loosening
you will be loosening
he/she/it will be loosening
we will be loosening
they will be loosening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have loosened
you will have loosened
he/she/it will have loosened
we will have loosened
they will have loosened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been loosening
you will have been loosening
he/she/it will have been loosening
we will have been loosening
they will have been loosening

IMPERATIVE

you loosen
we let´s loosen

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to loosen

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was loosening
you were loosening
he/she/it was loosening
we were loosening
they were loosening

PAST PARTICIPLE

loosened

PAST PERFECT

I had loosened
you had loosened
he/she/it had loosened
we had loosened
they had loosened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been loosening
you had been loosening
he/she/it had been loosening
we had been loosening
they had been loosening

PRESENT

I loosen
you loosen
he/she/it loosens
we loosen
they loosen

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am loosening
you are loosening
he/she/it is loosening
we are loosening
they are loosening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

loosening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have loosened
you have loosened
he/she/it has loosened
we have loosened
they have loosened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been loosening
you have been loosening
he/she/it has been loosening
we have been loosening
they have been loosening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it loosen

SIMPLE PAST

I loosened
you loosened
he/she/it loosened
we loosened
they loosened

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