Loose vs Lose | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Lose and loose have different pronunciations and usually act as different parts of speech.
- Lose (single “o”; pronounced [loo-z] with a “z” sound) is a verb that means “fail to win” or “misplace.”
- Loose (double “o”; pronounced [loo-s] with a soft “s”) is an adjective or adverb that means “not tight” or “not secure.” When used as a verb, it means “release.”
Examples: Lose in a sentence | Examples: Loose in a sentence |
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If you lose your passport, it will take several weeks to replace it. | I nearly fell off my bike because the seat was loose. |
A true fan will support their team even if they lose. | It was more a loose relationship than a formal partnership. |
Loose as an adjective
Loose is a very versatile adjective and has many related meanings. Very often, it means the opposite of “tight.”
Meaning | Example |
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Not bound together | Lisa preferred to use a loose-leaf binder rather than a notebook. |
Lacking precision | The contract was worthless because the definitions were too loose. |
Not attached securely | The wheel fell off because the nuts had worked loose. |
Not tight-fitting | It was Tony’s favorite summer shirt because of its comfortable, loose fit. |
Not solid/not compact | The fencepost went into the loose soil without too much effort. |
Relaxed or flexible | They weren’t sure what time they would be able to meet, so they kept the arrangements loose. |
Free from being restrained or confined | The news was full of reports of a dangerous prisoner who was on the loose. |
Lacking in restraint or control (sometimes with a moral dimension) | Bill’s loose morals and attitude led him into lots of trouble. |
Loose as a verb
If you make something less tight or untie a knot, you can use loose as a verb to describe that. There is a common expression “let loose” which refers to letting something or someone free from restraint (whether literally or metaphorically).
Other uses of loose
There are many common phrases and idioms where loose is used as an adjective or adverb.
Expression | Meaning |
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These days I almost never have any loose change to give away. | Coins that have a low monetary value |
Brian was seen as something of a loose cannon in a meeting. | Someone who lacks control and is unreliable |
When the game ended, all hell broke loose among the supporters as they celebrated the win. | Chaos ensued |
It was always a risk to tell Jeff anything because he was so loose-lipped. | Unable to be discreet or to keep a secret |
During a thunderstorm, you would think that my cat has a screw loose. | Is mentally unstable |
Lose is a verb
Lose can mean “suffer a loss,” or in the context of sports or other games, it means “fail to win.”
Lose can also mean “misplace” or “fail to keep something.”
Lose can also mean to “accidentally or deliberately get rid of something.”
There are many common phrases using lose.
Examples | Meaning |
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It was difficult not to lose heart with the way the team was performing. | Become discouraged |
It is important not to lose your temper when working in customer service. | Become angry |
Nobody likes to be told off at work and lose face. | Lose the respect of other people |
Andy was so worried about exams, he thought he might lose his mind. | Become irrational or mentally unstable |
The mark of a great champion is their ability not to lose their nerve in the big games. | Become afraid, or back off from a challenge |
Viv was worried that her colleagues would lose respect for her if she remained silent. | Respect someone less than you did before |
It’s very easy to lose sleep over financial worries. | Worry excessively about something |
Loser vs looser
Loser is a noun that describes a person or group that loses a competition or game. The opposite of loser is “winner.” Informally, it is used as an insult about a person. Looser, on the other hand, is a comparative adjective meaning “more loose.”
Example: Loser in a sentence | Example: Looser in a sentence |
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Anna’s concession speech marked her out as a gracious loser. | The rules of grammar in text messages to your friends are much looser than in formal academic writing. |
Frequently asked questions about loose vs lose
- Is it loose weight or lose weight?
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Lose weight is the correct phrase. Lose and loose have different pronunciations, meanings, and grammatical functions. Lose means to no longer have something which you had previously.
- Lose has a long “o” and a “z” sound. It is a verb that means “suffer loss” or “misplace.”
- Loose also has a long “o” sound, but the “s” is soft. It is an adjective or adverb that means “not tight” or “not secure.” Occasionally loose is used as a verb meaning “release.”
You used to have some weight which you no longer have, so you lose weight. It means that your clothes will now be loose as they are no longer so tight.
- Is there an easy way to remember whether to use lose or loose?
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You can try this handy mnemonic to remember when to use “lose” vs. “loose”:
- Lose (get rid of) one “o” to lose [looz] something—this might help you to remember that lose is the word you want if you are talking about misplacing something or failing to win.