Loophole

Quick meaning: Loophole is a noun meaning (figurative) A method of escape, especially an ambiguity or exception in a rule or law that can be exploited in order to avoid its effect.

Meaning

(figurative) A method of escape, especially an ambiguity or exception in a rule or law that can be exploited in order to avoid its effect.

More Meanings

1. (military, transitive) To prepare a building for defense by preparing slits or holes through which to fire on attackers
2. (transitive) To exploit (a law, etc.) by means of loopholes.
3. (historical) A slit in a castle wall; today, any similar window for shooting a ranged weapon or letting in light.

Example Sentences

The lower windows were barricaded, and the whole building loopholed for musketry fire.

Behind the scenes, the system had quietly punched a neat loophole into the ballyhooed reform.

There was a loophole in this wall, to let the light in, just at the height of a person's head, who was sitting near the chimney.

They would rather ask more from the vast majority of Americans and put our recovery at risk than close even a single tax loophole that benefits the wealthy.

Word Forms

• loopholes
• loop hole
• loopholing
• loopholed

Synonyms for loophole

Depending on context, synonyms include arrowslit, arrow-hole, balistraria, barbican.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include backdoor, hole, gat, lagoon, gulf, trap.

Related Dictionary Tools