loosely
/ˈluːsli
/adverb
1In a way that is not firmly or tightly fixed or held together: her hair hung loosely over her shoulders a bow tied loosely at the collar...
- The outer plates hold the outer laths loosely in place, allowing sliding during the formation of the shell.
- In such areas, herbicide binds loosely to soil particles, meaning less chemical can be used.
- The arrangement of the hair is in the French style, which features loosely curled tendrils hanging softly at the sides of the face.
2In a way that does not fit tightly or closely: a loosely fitting white shirt cover loosely with foil and bake in a preheated oven...
- The roast pork is served with a garlic sauce in a separate bowl and a big piece of crispy skin placed loosely on top of the meat.
- There he is, emerging from the pines, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt draped loosely over his thin but sturdy frame.
- Loosely fitting screw-capped lids permitted air circulation, restricted evaporation, and limited contamination.
3In a way that is not close, compact, or solid in structure or formation: buildings are grouped loosely around a village green spinach can be packed loosely in a plastic bag...
- The external face of each panel is clad in a layer of steel wire cages, containing loosely compacted stones.
- He covers the long mounds with a loosely woven plastic screen.
- They added clean, loosely packed sand to each column.
3.1In a way that is not rigidly organized: discussions were loosely structured to enhance informality a loosely organized group of collectors...
- Such experiments were carried considerably further by a loosely knit group of younger painters.
- A loosely structured group of artists, they flourished particularly from the late 1940s to the early 1960s.
- It was a loosely organized international group of avant-garde artists set up in Germany in 1962.
4In a physically relaxed manner: he moved loosely from side to side...
- Regular stretching and joint movement exercises maximize the range of motion of joints and the ability to freely and loosely move as you age.
- With your arms hanging loosely at your sides and your toes pointed slightly outward, perform an imaginary seated leg extension.
- Loosely rest your hands on the bars, and only do that when it's needed to maintain your balance.
4.1In a way that is not strict or exact: the term is interpreted loosely the novel is loosely autobiographical...
- This method could be loosely described as an asynchronous analog of the method described in Mangel and Adler.
- The degrees of freedom associated with the curve <i>s</i> are loosely interpreted as the number of parameters used in fitting <i>s</i>.
- Rerunning a sporting event—even one as loosely defined as celebrity boxing—is almost unheard of in network television.
4.2In a careless and indiscreet manner: you shouldn’t speak loosely outside the group...
- During the campaign, he was confronted by a man who spoke loosely and negligently of illegitimate children and the welfare system.
- By the 17th century, the verb "gossip" had come into widespread usage meaning to talk loosely about the personal affairs of others.
- It is irresponsible and reckless to loosely talk about one of the most divisive, hurtful symbols in American history.
4.3(With reference to play in cricket) in an inaccurate or careless manner: Kirby bowled loosely
- thoughtcrime
- thought criminal
- thought disorder
- thought-executing
- thought experiment
- thought field
- thought field therapy
- thought form
- thoughtfree
- thoughtful
- thoughtfully
- thoughtfulness
- thoughtiness
- thought leader
- thought leadership
- thoughtless
- thoughtlessly
- thoughtlessness
- thoughtlet
- thought-line
- thought model
- thoughtness
- thoughtograph
- thoughtographer
- thoughtographic