Farhana Qureishi
What does "using a term loosely" mean? Please explain with example sentences.
Nov 29, 2023 11:07 PM
Answers · 3
2
It means to use it in a way that is very general and is often used in an ironic way. "They were using the term loosely when the called this a 'conference.' Its a disorganized mess." "They served us.... (and I am using the term losely) ... a "lunch" midway through, but it was literally a banana and a soda." "They had a bunch of so called experts giving presentations on random topics, but the presentations were amateur. They really used the term expert losely."
November 29, 2023
1
So, to use a term "loosely" simply means that you are deviating from its strict meaning and applying it in a much more interpretive manner.
December 2, 2023
1
In this case "loosely" means "imprecisely". "The gentleman in question, using the term 'gentleman' loosely, was in an inebriated condition." In this example, the speaker is referring to a man who, the speaker considers, does not really count as a gentleman, perhaps because of his discourteous behaviour.
November 29, 2023
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