suelto

Suelto is a word in Spanish with several related senses. As the masculine singular form of the adjective derived from the verb soltar, suelto describes something that is not fixed, tightened, or restrained. In physical terms it can mean loose or slack, as in pantalones sueltos (loose pants), ropa suelta (loose clothing), o un tornillo suelto (a loose screw). The feminine form is suelta; the plural forms are sueltos and sueltas. It can also describe something that has been released or freed, for example, el perro quedó suelto (the dog is loose) or la cuerda quedó suelta (the rope is loose).

As a past participle of soltar, suelto agrees in gender and number with the subject of soltar, and is used in perfect tenses with haber (he soltado). In figurative use, suelto can describe speech or behavior that is casual or unrestrained, as in hablar suelto or un discurso suelto. In economics and everyday language, the expression dinero suelto refers to loose change or small coins.

The term is common across Spanish-speaking regions, including Spain and much of Latin America, and appears in both formal and informal registers. It is versatile in describing physical looseness, release, and informal style.