Lose vs Loose
English distinguishes lose and loose by meaning and pronunciation, so choosing the right word keeps your sentence clear. This short guide gives quick examples and tips to tell them apart.
Lose
Use lose when you no longer have something, whether by misplacement, defeat, or failure to keep it. It is pronounced with a "z" sound at the end.
Examples
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🐾 I always lose my favorite chew toy at the park. | I often can’t find my favorite chew toy after playing at the park. |
| 🐕 If I chase squirrels, I might lose sight of my owner. | When I run after squirrels, I sometimes can’t see my owner anymore. |
| 🦴 Don’t let the bag of treats slip away and lose them. | Make sure the bag of treats doesn’t fall so you don’t lose it. |
| 🏆 I hate to lose the game of fetch. | I don’t like when I don’t win at fetch. |
Tips
Remember that lose is a verb that often pairs with things like time, keys, games, or money. If you can substitute "misplace" or "fail to keep," lose is likely correct.
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Loose
Use loose as an adjective meaning not tight, free, or detached. It is pronounced with an "s" sound at the end. Loose can describe things like clothing, screws, animals, or rules.
Examples
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🦴 The knot on my leash is loose and might come undone. | The knot on my leash isn’t tight and could fall apart. |
| 🐕 My collar is loose, so it slips over my head when I jump. | My collar is too big and slips off when I jump. |
| 🌳 The gate was left loose, and I almost ran out of the yard. | The gate wasn’t securely closed, and I nearly escaped. |
| 🎾 The rope on my toy is loose and frays at the ends. | The string on my toy is not tight and is coming apart. |
Tips
If you need a word that describes condition and can be replaced by "not tight" or "free," choose loose. It does not function as a verb.
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Quick Test
To decide between lose and loose, try turning the word into a test sentence: if you can say "not tight" and it makes sense, use loose. If the sentence is about misplacing or no longer having something, use lose.
Summary
lose is a verb meaning to misplace or fail to keep something, pronounced with a "z" sound; loose is an adjective meaning not tight or free, pronounced with an "s" sound. Short substitution tests help you pick the right word quickly.
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025