What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Loosen vs Looser - What's the difference?

loosen | looser |

As a verb loosen

is to make loose.

As an adjective looser is

(loose).

As a noun looser is

.

loosen

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make loose.
    • to loosen a knot
    After the Thanksgiving meal, Bill loosened his belt.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • After a year's rooting, then shaking doth the tree good by loosening of the earth.
  • To free from restraint; to set at liberty.
  • * Dryden
    • It loosens his hands, and assists his understanding.
  • To remove costiveness from; to facilitate or increase the alvine discharges of.
    • (Francis Bacon)

    Antonyms

    * tighten

    Derived terms

    * loosen the apron strings * loosen the purse strings * loosener

    Related terms

    * loose * unloosen

    See also

    * lose English ergative verbs

    looser

    English

    Etymology 1

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (loose)
    • Her new T-shirt was just a little bit looser than the old one.
    The law is too strict; it should be made looser .

    Etymology 2

    Noun

    (head)