'Loose' vs. 'Lose': What's the Difference, Exactly?

Nicole Penn
·3 min read

Plus, tricks for remembering which word to use.

Grammar can be tricky, like trying to remember the difference between their, there and they’re. The same can be said for "loose" vs. "lose." While they share slightly similar spelling, they aren’t interchangeable and have different definitions.

And this isn't the only example. After all, we've already shared the differences between "complement" vs. "compliment," "grey" and "gray," "macaroon" vs. "macaron" and more!

Let’s review the differences between these words and find out how you can easily remember how to use loose and lose in a sentence.

'Loose' vs. 'Lose': What's the Difference?

Well, the two words actually have completely different meanings. The only similarity is what's obvious: their spelling is alike.

We'll review their separate definitions as well as examples of how to use both words.

Related: Crash, Splash, Gulp! Some of These 55 Examples of Onomatopoeia Might Surprise You

What Does 'Loose' Mean?

Merriam-Webster’s definition of "loose" is defined as “not tight-fitting, free from a state of confinement, or not restrained.” For the most part, you can remember that loose is an adjective used to describe something.

Example: A loose tie or a loose tooth.

Examples of 'Loose' in a Sentence

Let’s use "loose" in a few different sentences:

  • Jimmy has a loose tooth, which means he’ll get a visit from the Tooth Fairy soon.

  • The nightstand collapsed because the screws were loose.

  • You’ll want to wear a loose top so you don’t feel restrained.

Related: What Is the Oxford Comma, Exactly? Plus, Here's Why It's So Controversial

What Does 'Lose' Mean?

Now let’s look at Merriam-Webster’s definition of "lose," which is defined as “to fail to win, gain, or obtain” or “to undergo defeat.” In this case, you can remember that lose is a verb.

Example: He knew he’d lose the race.

Examples of 'Lose' in a Sentence

Let’s use "lose" in a few more sentences:

  • We hoped we wouldn’t lose that bet.

  • He didn’t want to lose his dog, so he kept him on a leash.

  • No one likes losing their keys.

Tricks for Remembering 'Loose' vs. 'Lose'

It can be tough to remember that "loose" is an adjective and "lose" is a verb, so let’s go over some tricks for remembering "loose" versus "lose." You can also remember “lose” as losing something important. If you replace the “e” in “lose” with a “t” it becomes “lost”, but you can’t replace the “e” in “loose” with a “t”—because that’s not a word. This means "loose" can only be used to describe something that’s not secure or tight.

Is It 'Loose You' or 'Lose You'?

In this instance, “lose you” is grammatically correct, as this means you’ve lost someone.

Is It 'Loose' or 'Lose My Job'?

In this instance, “lose my job” is grammatically correct. Your job isn’t loose like a tooth. It’s something you’ve lost and therefore you will want to use “lose.”

Next Up, 'Time To Hit the Books!' 50 Common Idioms and What They Really Mean