WordGarden.iounloose
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnlˈuːs/
US
- /ˌʌnˈlus/verb
Meanings
Verb
to untie, release, or make something come loose from restraint
to let a force, sound, emotion, or process break out or operate freely
Beyond the definition
To unloose something is to release it from what was holding it back. Think of a dog unloosed from its leash, suddenly free to run and play. It can also mean to untie or loosen something, like unloosing the sails on a ship so they can catch the wind. The word is old-fashioned today, but it often carries a sense of held-back force being let go. You might read about someone who unloosed their tongue after a long silence, meaning they finally began to speak freely.
Imagine a knight at the end of a long journey. He would have to carefully unloose the straps and buckles of his armor so he could finally rest. Or picture a climber unloosing the ropes after reaching the summit, a small moment of triumph and release.
The word "unloose" means to release, untie, or set free something that was held, tied, or restrained. It usually suggests a deliberate act of letting something go, whether in a physical sense or a figurative one. For example: "After years of silence, she finally unloosed her feelings and told him how she felt." Here the idea is that something long held back is finally allowed out.
Historically, "unloose" often appeared in writing about releasing hunting dogs from their leashes, letting them run after game. Because of that, the word can carry a feeling of sudden movement and energy. In older stories, you might read about hunters unloosing the dogs when the chase begins.
The term can also be used more broadly. A sailor might unloose the sails to catch the wind, or someone might unloose a knot in a piece of rope. It can describe relaxing a hold as well: "He unloosed his grip on the rope when he reached stable ground."
Figuratively, "unloose" can describe letting thoughts, feelings, or forces come out freely. A person may unloose a flood of words, anger, or grief after keeping it inside for a long time. In every case, the image is the same: something was restrained, and then it was allowed to move or flow. The word is now rare in everyday English and often sounds literary or old-fashioned, but its core idea remains clear: to let something go free.
Examples
- 1
Literary action
In the old story, the stable boy unloosed the horses before dawn.
- Usage
unloose is literary or old-fashioned; everyday English usually says release, untie, or let loose
- 2
Crowd reaction
At the final whistle, the home crowd unloosed a roar that shook the stands.
- 3
Political forces
The scandal unloosed forces inside the party that no one could control.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- unlooseverb
Forms
- unloosedpast tenseverb
- unloosesverb
- unloosing-ing formverb