Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Loose in Spanish: Suelto
Suelto · adjective · SWEHL-toh
Loose in Spanish is suelto for unfastened or free, flojo for not tight, or holgado for loose-fitting garments.
Suelto is SWEHL-toh, two syllables with stress on the first.
El tornillo está suelto, hay que apretarlo.
The screw is loose, we need to tighten it.
Loose in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for loose, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| suelto | loose | SWEHL-toh | Default, widely understood |
| flojo | loose | for loose-fitting clothes | |
| holgado | loose | specifically for oversized clothing |
How Native Speakers Use Suelto
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Something unfastened
Cuidado, hay un cable suelto en el suelo.
Careful, there's a loose cable on the floor.
Safety warning.
Clothing
Prefiero usar ropa holgada cuando hace calor.
I prefer wearing loose clothes when it's hot.
Fashion preference.
Animal free
El perro anda suelto por el parque sin correa.
The dog is running loose in the park without a leash.
Suelto meaning free/unleashed.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Suelto
Confusing loose and lose
Incorrect: No quiero suelto el juego.
Correct: No quiero perder el juego.
Loose (suelto) and lose (perder) are different words in both English and Spanish.
Using suelto for loose morals
Incorrect: Tiene una moral suelta.
Correct: Tiene una moral relajada/laxa.
For figurative looseness of morals or standards, use laxo or relajado.
Lock in Loose Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Suelto used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using suelto in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El tornillo está suelto, hay que apretarlo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Loose in Spanish
- How do you say loose in Spanish?
- The primary translation is suelto (SWEHL-toh), which works for unfastened, free-roaming, or detached things—while flojo or holgado works for loose-fitting clothes.
- What is the difference between suelto and flojo?
- Suelto means detached, unfastened, or free, while flojo specifically means not tight or slack—a flojo knot isn't well tied, and suelto hair is worn down.
- How do you say to let loose in Spanish?
- To let loose translates as soltar or soltarse—for example, suéltate el pelo means let your hair loose or, figuratively, relax and have fun.