loophole

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈluːphəʊl/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈluphoʊl/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: loop‧hole

Noun

Singular loophole

Plural loopholes

A loophole.

1. (countable) (old, no longer used) A loophole is a slit in a castle wall.
2. (countable) (figurative) A loophole is a method of escape through the ambiguity in a rule or law that can be exploited.

Verb

Plain form loophole

Third-person singular loopholes

Past tense loopholed

Past participle loopholed

Present participle loopholing

1. (transitive) (military) If you loophole a building, you prepare it for defense by preparing slits or holes to attack any invaders.
2. (transitive) If you loophole a rule, you exploit it by means of loopholes.