German word

lose

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈloːzə/

Meaning

  • adjectiveloose

Example

Die Hose ist lose.

The pants are loose.

Illustration for lose (loose)

More examples

Die Schuhe sind lose und rutschen beim Gehen.

The shoes are loose and slip when walking.

Core concept

A waistband sits away from the body, leaving room for the fabric to shift when the wearer moves.

Common phrases

  • lose Kleidung

    loose clothing

  • lose Schuhe

    loose shoes

Similar words

locker: Fitted too loosely to stay firmly in place.
weit: Roomy because the size is larger than necessary.
schlaff: Lacking firmness and drooping downward.

Definition in German

Nicht fest anliegend, so dass zwischen Teilen Spielraum bleibt und etwas bei Belastung leicht nachgibt oder verrutscht.

Word origin

German lose continues Old High German lōs and Middle High German lōs, from a Germanic adjective meaning free or unbound, and is cognate with English loose.

Usage tips

  • 'Lose' is an adjective, while 'los' is a separate word meaning 'off' or 'away'; in 'Die Hose ist lose', the adjective follows sein without an ending.

Other meanings

  • baggyadjective
  • unfastenedadjective

Opposites

  • engtightadjective
  • strammsnugadjective

Related words

  • losgelöstdetachedadjective

Word lists with this word