What is the Difference Between Loose and Lose?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between "loose" and "lose" lies in their meanings and usage:
- Loose: This word is an adjective that describes something that is not tight or contained. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to set free or release, although this usage is rare. For example, "The hounds have been loosed." As an adjective, "loose" can describe something that is not securely fastened or attached.
- Lose: This word is a verb that means to suffer a loss, be deprived of, part with, or fail to keep possession of something. For example, "I hope I don't lose my dog."
To remember the difference, think of this mnemonic: "If you lose the 'o' of loose, you've spelled the opposite of find". In other words, lose is spelled with one 'o', while loose has two 'o's'.
Comparative Table: Loose vs Lose
Here is a table summarizing the differences between "loose" and "lose":
Term | Meaning | Usage | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Loose | Not tight, not securely fastened, or free from restraint | Adjective and verb | The shirt was loose and comfortable. (adjective) The police officer loose the handcuffs. (verb) |
Lose | To fail to keep, sustain, or maintain, or to fail to win | Verb | I'm worried I might lose my job. |
Source:
In summary:
- "Loose" is an adjective used to describe something that is not tight, securely fastened, or constrained, and it is also a verb that means to set free or let go.
- "Lose" is a verb that means to misplace something, fail to win, or fail to retain possession of something.
Read more:
- Lose vs Loss
- Loss vs Lost
- Tight vs Loose
- Loath vs Loathe
- Lax vs Tense Vowels
- Laid vs Lain
- Lay vs Lie in English Grammar
- Loose Skin vs Fat
- Chose vs Choose
- Lens vs Lense
- spent vs spend
- Profit vs Gain
- Learned vs Learnt
- Difference vs Different
- Do vs Does
- Has vs Have
- Does vs Is
- Weak vs Week
- Loose vs Dense Connective Tissue