loophole

[loop-hohl]

noun

1. a means of escape or evasion; a means or opportunity of evading a rule, law, etc..

   There are a number of loopholes in the tax laws whereby corporations can save money.

2. a small or narrow opening, as in a wall, for looking through, for admitting light and air, or, particularly in a fortification, for the discharge of missiles against an enemy outside.

3. an opening or aperture.

verb (used with object)

loopholed, loopholing 

1. to furnish with loopholes.

loophole

/ ˈluːpˌhəʊl /

noun

1. an ambiguity, omission, etc, as in a law, by which one can avoid a penalty or responsibility

2. a small gap or hole in a wall, esp one in a fortified wall

verb

1. (tr) to provide with loopholes

Word History and Origins

Origin of loophole¹

First recorded in 1585–95; loop ² + hole

Word History and Origins

Origin of loophole¹

C16: from _loop ² + _hole

Example Sentences

But while Shein and Temu helped pioneer this way of working, many other businesses - foreign and domestic, large and small - came to incorporate the "loophole" into their supply chains and sales models.

From BBC

She added: "This is a loophole that needs to be plugged, but the government must ensure that any changes don't ultimately harm consumers or small businesses."

From BBC

Lloyd learned that the officers involved had a pattern of not documenting traffic stops — exploiting loopholes in the department’s auditing system for dashboard and body cameras.

From Los Angeles Times

Campaigners and the tyre recycling industry body welcomed the announcement but said the proposal will not close all loopholes exploited by criminals.

From BBC

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is going through the House of Lords but there are calls for government to speed up the legislation to shut down loopholes.

From BBC

When To Use

What is a loophole?

A loophole is an absence or something vague in a rule or law that allows a person to avoid punishment, as in I was able to keep an alligator in my apartment thanks to a loophole in the housing rules that said only “no dogs allowed.” Loopholes often result from poor wording or vague language in a rule or law. Generally, we can expect that anything that is not specifically forbidden or illegal must be allowed. However, this expectation sometimes allows people to get around the law by not violating the exact wording of that law.For example, a law may say that no one is allowed to walk on the sidewalk after dark. People take advantage of the loophole in this law by skipping, running, or jogging on the sidewalk when it is dark. Technically, they haven’t done anything forbidden by the law so they could not be punished for it.People who write laws and contracts try to avoid potential loopholes by using very specific language. Parents often have to do the same thing to avoid their children getting around their rules.Example: The companies used a loophole in the tax code to avoid paying taxes by registering themselves as charities.