[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/loosely/)

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# loosely

adverb (loosely, more loosely)

«loosely» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Not tightly: «Tie the rope loosely». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#m1)
2. Not exactly or strictly; in a general way: «The film is loosely based on a true story». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#m2)
3. Not firmly joined or organised: «a loosely connected group». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and first aid: bandages and clothes can be worn loosely so blood can flow. In reading: «loosely based on» tells you a story is only partly true. Translations or definitions can be «loosely» right — roughly, not exactly.

### Examples

- Tie the bandage loosely, not too tight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#x1)
- The film is loosely based on a real event. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#x2)
- Her scarf hung loosely around her neck. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#x3)
- The word can be loosely translated as "hello". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#x4)
- Hold the bird loosely in your hands. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#x5)
- The shelves were loosely screwed to the wall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#x6)
- The ground was trodden into a deep groove beneath the loosely drawn rawhide rope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/#x7)

### Note

Adverb from «loose» + «-ly». Do not confuse «loose» (not tight, rhymes with goose) with «lose» (to not have any more). «Loosely» is about how something is held or how exact it is.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «loosely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/loosely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«loosely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/loosely.html) on Mova free.