Hoop vs. Loop — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 4, 2023
A hoop is a rigid circular band made of materials like metal or wood, whereas a loop is a curved shape where a line intersects itself or the action of creating this shape.
Difference Between Hoop and Loop
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hoop is a circular band of material that retains its shape. It can be made of various materials such as metal, plastic, or wood and is often used in jewelry, sports, and barrel-making. In contrast, a loop is a curve or circle made from string, wire, or other flexible materials that can be opened or closed, adjusted in size, or used to secure things.
The word hoop often denotes a rigid, fixed shape. In basketball, the hoop is the ring through which players score points, and it maintains its circular shape throughout. Loops, on the other hand, imply flexibility and are part of the mechanics of knots, which can be tightened or loosened.
Hoop earrings are a common jewelry item, named for their shape, whereas loop earrings might refer to a style where the earpiece creates a loop that may hang freely and is not necessarily circular. In hoop dancing, the dancer manipulates one or more hoops, which keep their form, whereas looping in music refers to a repeated section, not necessarily implying a strict, unchanging structure.
Hoops can be parts of machinery, where their integrity of shape is critical, such as the hoops holding together the staves of a barrel. Loops, found in machinery, often serve as a means for tying or holding items, like the belt loops on clothing.
Hoop skirts are a historical fashion item designed to extend the width of a woman's skirt, using hoops made of whalebone or steel. Loop stitches in crochet or knitting involve pulling a length of yarn through an existing stitch and looping it to create a new stitch.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A solid ring or circular band
A curved or circular shape that is closed or nearly closed
Material
Typically made of rigid materials
Made of flexible materials
Usage in Sports
Refers to a fixed goal or target (e.g., basketball hoop)
Refers to a sequence or repetition (e.g., loop in a racetrack)
Jewelry
Maintains shape (e.g., hoop earrings)
Can dangle or be adjustable (e.g., loop earrings)
Functionality
Provides structural integrity (e.g., barrel hoops)
Allows for fastening or securing (e.g., belt loops)
Compare with Definitions
Hoop
A circular band of metal or wood put around a cask or barrel to bind the staves together.
Loop
A structure, series, or process the end of which is connected to the beginning.
The movie's plot was a complex loop of flashbacks and foreshadowing.
Hoop
A circular band used for holding together the staves of barrels.
The wine barrel was bound by several sturdy wooden hoops.
Loop
A programmed sequence of instructions that is repeated until or while a particular condition is satisfied.
The software developer wrote a loop to process the array.
Hoop
The metal ring from which a basketball net is suspended.
He aimed carefully and threw the ball through the hoop.
Loop
A length of line, thread, ribbon, or other thin material that is curved or doubled over making an opening.
Hoop
A large ring used for hoop skirts or crinolines to keep them shaped.
The gown's silhouette was maintained by a series of hoops.
Loop
The opening formed by such a doubled line.
Hoop
Earrings that are circular or semicircular in design.
She chose a pair of silver hoops to complete her outfit.
Loop
Something having a shape, order, or path of motion that is circular or curved over on itself.
Hoop
A large wooden, plastic, or metal ring, especially one used as a plaything or for trained animals to jump through.
Loop
(Electricity) A closed circuit.
Hoop
One of the lightweight circular supports for a hoop skirt.
Loop
(Computers) A sequence of instructions that repeats either a specified number of times or until a particular condition is met.
Hoop
A circular, ringlike earring.
Loop
A loop-shaped intrauterine device.
Hoop
One of a pair of circular frames, usually of wood or plastic, used to hold material taut for embroidery or similar needlework.
Loop
A flight maneuver in which an aircraft flies a circular path in a vertical plane with the lateral axis of the aircraft remaining horizontal.
Hoop
The basket.
Loop
A segment of film or magnetic tape whose ends are joined, making a strip that can be continuously replayed.
Hoop
A field goal
Hit a big hoop.
Loop
(Sports) See league1.
Hoop
Also hoops The game of basketball.
Loop
A loophole through which small arms may be fired.
Hoop
(Sports) A croquet wicket.
Loop
To form into a loop.
Hoop
To hold together or support with a hoop.
Loop
To fasten, join, or encircle with loops or a loop.
Hoop
To encircle.
Loop
To fly (an aircraft) in a loop.
Hoop
A circular band of metal used to bind a barrel.
Loop
To move in a loop or an arc.
Hoop
A ring; a circular band; anything resembling a hoop.
The cheese hoop, or cylinder in which the curd is pressed in making cheese
Loop
(Electricity) To join (conductors) so as to complete a circuit.
Hoop
A circular band of metal, wood, or similar material used for forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.
Loop
To add or substitute (words) in a film by altering the soundtrack.
Hoop
A circle, or combination of circles, of thin whalebone, metal, or other elastic material, used for expanding the skirts of ladies' dresses; hence, by extension a hoop petticoat or hoop skirt.
Loop
To form a loop.
Hoop
A quart pot; so called because originally bound with hoops, like a barrel. Also, a portion of the contents measured by the distance between the hoops.
Loop
To move in a loop
"The couple looped constantly around the international social circuit" (Walter Isaacson).
Hoop
An old measure of capacity, variously estimated at from one to four pecks.
Loop
To make a loop in an aircraft.
Hoop
(basketball) The rim part of a basketball net.
Loop
A length of thread, line or rope that is doubled over to make an opening.
Hoop
The game of basketball.
Loop
The opening so formed.
Hoop
A hoop earring.
Loop
A shape produced by a curve that bends around and crosses itself.
Arches, loops, and whorls are patterns found in fingerprints.
Hoop
A horizontal stripe on the jersey.
Loop
A ring road or beltway.
Hoop
A jockey.
Loop
An endless strip of tape or film allowing continuous repetition.
Hoop
An obstacle that must be overcome in order to proceed.
Loop
A complete circuit for an electric current.
Hoop
(transitive) To bind or fasten using a hoop.
To hoop a barrel or puncheon
Loop
(programming) A programmed sequence of instructions that is repeated until or while a particular condition is satisfied.
Hoop
(transitive) To clasp; to encircle; to surround.
Loop
(graph theory) An edge that begins and ends on the same vertex.
Hoop
(dated) To utter a loud cry, or a sound imitative of the word, by way of call or pursuit; to shout.
Loop
(topology) A path that starts and ends at the same point.
Hoop
(dated) To whoop, as in whooping cough.
Loop
(transportation) A bus or rail route, walking route, etc. that starts and ends at the same point.
Hoop
A pliant strip of wood or metal bent in a circular form, and united at the ends, for holding together the staves of casks, tubs, etc.
Loop
(rail) A place at a terminus where trains or trams can turn round and go back the other way without having to reverse; a balloon loop, turning loop, or reversing loop.
Hoop
A ring; a circular band; anything resembling a hoop, as the cylinder (cheese hoop) in which the curd is pressed in making cheese.
Loop
(algebra) A quasigroup with an identity element.
Hoop
A circle, or combination of circles, of thin whalebone, metal, or other elastic material, used for expanding the skirts of ladies' dresses; crinoline; - used chiefly in the plural.
Though stiff with hoops, and armed with ribs of whale.
Loop
A loop-shaped intrauterine device.
Hoop
A quart pot; - so called because originally bound with hoops, like a barrel. Also, a portion of the contents measured by the distance between the hoops.
Loop
An aerobatic maneuver in which an aircraft flies a circular path in a vertical plane.
Hoop
An old measure of capacity, variously estimated at from one to four pecks.
Loop
A small, narrow opening; a loophole.
Hoop
A shout; a whoop, as in whooping cough.
Loop
Alternative form of loup
Hoop
The hoopoe. See Hoopoe.
Loop
(biochemistry) A flexible region in a protein's secondary structure.
Hoop
To bind or fasten with hoops; as, to hoop a barrel or puncheon.
Loop
(transitive) To form something into a loop.
Hoop
To clasp; to encircle; to surround.
Loop
(transitive) To fasten or encircle something with a loop.
Hoop
To utter a loud cry, or a sound imitative of the word, by way of call or pursuit; to shout.
Loop
(transitive) To fly an aircraft in a loop.
Hoop
To whoop, as in whooping cough. See Whoop.
Loop
(transitive) To move something in a loop.
Hoop
To drive or follow with a shout.
Loop
(transitive) To join electrical components to complete a circuit.
Hoop
To call by a shout or peculiar cry.
Loop
(transitive) To duplicate the route of a pipeline.
Hoop
A light curved skeleton to spread out a skirt
Loop
(transitive) To create an error in a computer program so that it runs in an endless loop and the computer freezes up.
Hoop
A rigid circular band of metal or wood or other material used for holding or fastening or hanging or pulling;
There was still a rusty iron hoop for tying a horse
Loop
(intransitive) To form a loop.
Hoop
A small arch used as croquet equipment
Loop
(intransitive) To move in a loop.
The program loops until the user presses a key.
Hoop
Horizontal hoop with a net through which players try to throw the basketball
Loop
To place in a loop.
Hoop
Bind or fasten with a hoop;
Hoop vats
Loop
A mass of iron in a pasty condition gathered into a ball for the tilt hammer or rolls.
Hoop
A ring through which children and performers hoopla.
She twirled the brightly colored hoop around her waist effortlessly.
Loop
A fold or doubling of a thread, cord, rope, etc., through which another thread, cord, etc., can be passed, or which a hook can be hooked into; an eye, as of metal; a staple; a noose; a bight.
That the probation bear no hinge, nor loopTo hang a doubt on.
Loop
A small, narrow opening; a loophole.
And stop all sight-holes, every loop from whenceThe eye of Reason may pry in upon us.
Loop
A curve of any kind in the form of a loop.
Loop
A wire forming part of a main circuit and returning to the point from which it starts.
Loop
The portion of a vibrating string, air column, etc., between two nodes; - called also ventral segment.
Loop
To make a loop of or in; to fasten with a loop or loops; - often with up; as, to loop a string; to loop up a curtain.
Loop
Fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole to permit the attachment of cords or lines
Loop
Anything with a round or oval shape (formed by a curve that is closed and does not intersect itself)
Loop
(computer science) a single execution of a set of instructions that are to be repeated;
The solution took hundreds of iterations
Loop
An inner circle of advisors (especially under President Reagan);
He's no longer in the loop
Loop
The basic pattern of the human fingerprint
Loop
A computer program that performs a series of instructions repeatedly until some specified condition is satisfied
Loop
The topology of a network whose components are connected in a loop
Loop
An intrauterine device in the shape of a loop
Loop
A complete electrical circuit around which current flows or a signal circulates
Loop
A flight maneuver; aircraft flies a complete circle in the vertical plane
Loop
Move in loops;
The bicycle looped around the tree
Loop
Make a loop in;
Loop a rope
Loop
Fly loops, perform a loop;
The stunt pilot looped his plane
Loop
Wind around something in coils or loops
Loop
Fasten or join with a loop;
He looped the watch through his belt
Loop
A length of thread, rope, or other material, doubled or crossing itself, used as a fastening.
She secured the package with a strong loop.
Common Curiosities
What is a hoop?
A hoop is a circular band of a rigid material that keeps its shape.
Can hoops be made of flexible material?
Typically, hoops are made of sturdier materials to maintain their shape, not flexible materials.
Can a hoop be a toy?
Yes, children often play with hoops by rolling or spinning them.
Can a loop be part of a program?
Yes, in programming, a loop is a sequence of instructions repeated until a certain condition is met.
What is the purpose of belt loops?
Belt loops are made to hold a belt in place around the waist of garments.
What are hoop earrings?
Hoop earrings are circular or semi-circular earrings that maintain a fixed form.
Is a basketball hoop actually a hoop?
Yes, the ring through which the net hangs is a fixed, circular band, thus a hoop.
Are loops always made from flexible materials?
Loops are typically made from materials that can bend or fold back on themselves.
Are loops used in knitting?
Yes, loops are an essential part of the structure of knitted fabrics.
Do loops imply repetition?
Often, yes. Loops can refer to a repeating process or pattern.
What is a loop?
A loop is a curved or circular shape created by a line curving back towards itself.
Can the term 'hoop' refer to a game?
Yes, 'hoop' can refer to the goal in games like basketball.
Are loops in music a physical shape?
No, in music, loops refer to a sequence of sounds repeated, not a physical shape.
Can hoops be decorative?
Yes, hoops can be decorative, as seen in hoop earrings or embroidery hoops.
Is the term 'loop' ever used in sports?
Yes, in track and field, 'loop' can refer to a curved part of the track.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
