Meaning of the word loosen in English

What does loosen mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

loosen

US /ˈluː.sən/
UK /ˈluː.sən/

Verb

1.

to make something less tight or less firmly fastened

Example:
Can you help me loosen this knot?
He had to loosen his tie after the long meeting.
2.

to become less tight or less firmly fastened

Example:
The screws started to loosen over time.
Her grip on the rope began to loosen.
3.

to make rules or controls less strict

Example:
The government decided to loosen the restrictions on travel.
They need to loosen their grip on the market.