The difference between Firm and Loose

When used as nouns, firm means a business partnership, whereas loose means the release of an arrow.

When used as verbs, firm means to make firm or strong, whereas loose means to let loose, to free from restraints.

When used as adjectives, firm means steadfast, secure, solid (in position), whereas loose means not fixed in place tightly or firmly.

Loose is also interjection with the meaning: begin shooting.

check bellow for the other definitions of Firm and Loose

Firm as a noun (UK, business):

A business partnership; the name under which it trades.
Firm as a noun (business, economics):

A business enterprise, however organized.
Firm as a noun (slang):

A criminal gang, especially based around football hooliganism.

Firm as an adjective:

steadfast, secure, solid (in position)

Examples:

"It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands."
Firm as an adjective:

fixed (in opinion)

Examples:

"a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent"
Firm as an adjective:

durable, rigid (material state)

Examples:

"firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood; firm land (i.e. not soft and marshy)"

Firm as a verb (transitive):

To make firm or strong; fix securely.
Firm as a verb (transitive):

To make compact or resistant to pressure; solidify.
Firm as a verb (intransitive):

To become firm; stabilise.
Firm as a verb (intransitive):

To improve after decline.
Firm as a verb (intransitive, Australia):

To shorten (of betting odds).
Firm as a verb (transitive, UK, slang):

To select (a higher education institution) as one's preferred choice, so as to enrol automatically if one's grades match the conditional offer.

Loose as a verb (transitive):

To let loose, to free from restraints.
Loose as a verb (transitive):

To unfasten, to loosen.
Loose as a verb (transitive):

To make less tight, to loosen.
Loose as a verb (intransitive):

Of a grip or hold, to let go.
Loose as a verb (archery):

to shoot (an arrow)
Loose as a verb (obsolete):

To set sail.
Loose as a verb (obsolete):

To solve; to interpret.

Examples:

"rfquotek Spenser"

Loose as an adjective:

Not fixed in place tightly or firmly.

Examples:

"This wheelbarrow has a loose wheel."
Loose as an adjective:

Not held or packaged together.

Examples:

"You can buy apples in a pack, but they are cheaper loose."
Loose as an adjective:

Not under control.

Examples:

"The dog is loose again."
Loose as an adjective:

Not fitting closely

Examples:

"I wear loose clothes when it is hot."
Loose as an adjective:

Not compact.

Examples:

"It is difficult walking on loose gravel."

"a cloth of loose texture"
Loose as an adjective:

Relaxed.

Examples:

"She danced with a loose flowing movement."
Loose as an adjective:

Not precise or exact; vague; indeterminate.

Examples:

"a loose way of reasoning"
Loose as an adjective:

Indiscreet.

Examples:

"Loose talk costs lives."
Loose as an adjective (dated):

Free from moral restraint; immoral, unchaste.
Loose as an adjective (not comparable, sports):

Not being in the possession of any competing team during a game.

Examples:

"He caught an elbow going after a loose ball."

"The puck was momentarily loose right in front of the net."
Loose as an adjective (dated):

Not costive; having lax bowels.

Examples:

"rfquotek John Locke"

Loose as a noun (archery):

The release of an arrow.
Loose as a noun (obsolete):

A state of laxity or indulgence; unrestrained freedom, abandonment.
Loose as a noun (rugby):

All play other than set pieces (scrums and line-outs).
Loose as a noun:

Freedom from restraint.

Examples:

"rfquotek Prior"
Loose as a noun:

A letting go; discharge.

Examples:

"rfquotek Ben Jonson"