loo

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlü 

1

: an old card game in which the winner of each trick or a majority of tricks takes a portion of the pool while losing players are obligated to contribute to the next pool

2

: money staked at loo

loo

2 of 3

verb

looed; looing; loos

transitive verb

: to obligate to contribute to a new pool at loo for failing to win a trick

loo

3 of 3

noun (2)

chiefly British

: toilet sense 1

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• bath
• bathroom
• bog [British]
• can
• cloakroom [British]
• comfort station
• convenience [chiefly British]
• head
• john
• latrine
• lavatory
• potty
• restroom
• toilet
• washroom
• water closet

Examples of loo in a Sentence

Noun (2)

he inquired as to whether there was a loo anywhere in the building

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Photo: Dean Hearne Use stronger colors in smaller rooms Spaces such as loos, hallways, and utility rooms are some of the best spots to have a bit of fun with daring wallpapers and colors. —Elizabeth Metcalfe, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024

Rose has fired everything from jugs to loos and done her utmost to protect the potters from the kiln gods. —Abby Monteil, Them, 14 Oct. 2024

There’s also a great shower and a not-so-great (but perfectly manageable) eco-friendly compost loo, that was nicer to use on day one than day three of the trip. —Kate Lucy, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024

My daughter can’t go outside because there’s press and looky loos out there. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for obsolete English lanterloo, from French lanturelu twaddle

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1940, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing loo

• lookie-loo
• looky-loo