loosie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low Frequency / Very InformalSlang, Informal
Quick answer
What does “loosie” mean?
A single cigarette sold outside of its official pack, typically at a higher unit price, often illegally. A very informal, casual single item.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A single cigarette sold outside of its official pack, typically at a higher unit price, often illegally. A very informal, casual single item.
Can refer to any single, unbundled item sold separately (e.g., a can of soda from a multi-pack). Often implies informality, convenience, and a small black market or informal economy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is primarily American English, especially in urban contexts. In British English, the term is understood but less commonly used; 'single cigarette' or 'single fag' (slang) is more typical.
Connotations
In AmE, strongly associated with informal street vending, often by individuals. In BrE, the concept exists but the specific term 'loosie' may sound like an Americanism.
Frequency
Much more frequent in AmE. In BrE, the practice is less lexically marked with a specific slang term.
Grammar
How to Use “loosie” in a Sentence
VERB + loosie: buy/sell/get/ask for + a loosieloosie + NOUN: loosie cigarette / loosie vendorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “loosie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb in standard BrE]
American English
- [Not used as a verb in standard AmE]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used adjectivally in BrE]
American English
- He made a loosie sale to the guy on the corner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in formal business contexts. Might appear in reports on informal economies or tax enforcement.
Academic
Rare, except in sociological studies of informal urban economies.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation, especially in certain urban communities in the US.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “loosie”
- Spelling it as 'loosey' or 'loosy' (common variants).
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it refers to anything other than a single, informally sold item (usually a cigarette).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, but it can be extended by analogy to other single, unbundled items sold informally (e.g., a loosie can of soda). Cigarettes are the default referent.
Typically not. It often violates tax laws (by avoiding cigarette taxes stamped on packs) and retail regulations. It is a feature of the informal economy.
In the context of cigarettes, they are synonyms, but 'loosie' is much more informal and slangy. 'Single' is more neutral and can apply to many items (a single ticket, a single room).
It gained wider recognition after the death of Eric Garner in 2014, who was initially confronted by police for allegedly selling loosies. It highlighted issues of policing, informal economies, and minor offences.
A single cigarette sold outside of its official pack, typically at a higher unit price, often illegally. A very informal, casual single item.
Loosie is usually slang, informal in register.
Loosie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈluːsi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlusi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'loosie']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of something LOOSE, not in a pack. A 'loosie' is a cigarette that is loose, sold individually.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMALITY IS LOOSENESS / THE BLACK MARKET IS INFORMAL TRADE
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'loosie' MOST appropriately used?