verb to make something less tight or firm
adjective having the quality of being less tight or firm
To loosen a sauce by adding more liquid or adjusting seasoning.
To loosen soil before planting or construction work.
To loosen a tourniquet to restore blood flow.
To loosen up before a workout or competition with warm-up exercises.
To loosen a tooth before extraction.
To loosen the sails to slow down or change direction of a boat.
To loosen a stuck part or component for repair or maintenance.
To loosen tight muscles through massage or stretching.
To loosen a bolt or nut by turning it counterclockwise.
To loosen tight curls with a diffuser or styling product.
In a professional context, 'loosen' may be used by writers to describe the act of making a writing style more casual or less formal in order to engage readers more effectively.
Psychologists may use the term 'loosen' to refer to the process of helping a client relax or become less tense during therapy sessions.
Athletic trainers may use 'loosen' to describe the act of stretching or massaging muscles to increase flexibility and reduce the risk of injury in athletes.
Chefs may use 'loosen' to describe the process of adding additional liquid or ingredients to a recipe to achieve the desired consistency or texture.