WordGarden.iolasso
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /læsˈuː/
US
- /ˈlæsoʊ/
Meanings
Noun
a rope with a running loop used to catch or control an animal or person
a freehand selection tool in graphics or image-editing software
Verb
to catch, rope, or pull in with a lasso
Beyond the definition
A lasso is most strongly linked with cowboys and ranch life. Originally from the Spanish word lazo, meaning "noose" or "loop," it is a rope with a sliding loop that is thrown around an animal, most often a horse or cow, to catch or hold it. In stories and films about the American West, skilled riders swing a lasso through the air and throw it with careful timing.
The word can also be used as a verb. To lasso an animal means to catch it with this kind of rope. In a broader and more playful way, people sometimes use it figuratively to mean pulling something in or gaining control of it, especially in lively or imaginative writing.
The word "lasso" brings to mind images of cowboys on horseback, expertly twirling a rope to capture wild mustangs or steer cattle. This image isn't far from its origins: a lasso is fundamentally a loop of rope designed for catching animals—traditionally horses, steers, and other livestock. The word itself comes from the Spanish lazo, meaning "noose" or "loop."
Historically, lassos were essential tools for ranchers and cowboys in North America, allowing them to manage herds without direct physical contact. A well-thrown lasso could catch and restrain an animal for branding, medical treatment, or transport.
However, "lasso" can also appear outside its literal meaning. As a verb, it can describe catching something with a rope, but in figurative use it may suggest pulling something in, gathering it, or bringing it under control. For example, a writer might describe a character as trying to "lasso" a runaway horse, while a playful headline might talk about "lassoing" new customers or attention. These extended uses are less literal, but they still keep the image of looping something and drawing it in.
So, whether it is a practical tool for handling cattle on the open range or a vivid figurative image in modern writing, a lasso suggests catching, holding, and bringing something under control with skill.
Examples
- 1
Ranch work
The rancher coiled the lasso and hung it on the fence.
- 2
Practice
She practiced throwing a lasso at a wooden post.
- 3
Herding
The rider lassoed the calf before it ran back into the herd.
- 4
Persuasion
The coach lassoed two parents into helping with the picnic.
- Patternlasso someone into doing something
persuade them to do it, often when they were not planning to
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Photo editing
Use the lasso tool to draw around the part of the photo you want to move.
- Domainlasso tool
a tool in image-editing software for freely selecting an area
See also
Forms and spellings
8 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- lassonounverb
Forms
- lassoedpast tensepast participleverbnoun
- lassoing-ing formverbnoun
- lassospluralnounverb
- lassoespluralnounverb
- lassooedpast tensepast participleverbnoun
- lassooespluralnounverb
- lassooing-ing formverbnoun