Definitions for loosen

Overview of verb loosen

The verb loosen has 7 senses? (first 1 from tagged texts)

1. (5) loosen, loose

(make loose or looser; "loosen the tension on a rope")

2. relax, loosen

(make less severe or strict; "The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught")

3. relax, loosen

(become less severe or strict; "The rules relaxed after the new director arrived")

4. tease, tease apart, loosen

(disentangle and raise the fibers of; "tease wool")

5. untie, undo, loosen

(cause to become loose; "undo the shoelace"; "untie the knot"; "loosen the necktie")

6. loosen

(make less dense; "loosen the soil")

7. loosen, relax, loose

(become loose or looser or less tight; "The noose loosened"; "the rope relaxed")