Loose vs. Lose

Let's discuss another very common confusion mix up that people make these days. 'Lose' and 'Loose' are two different words, they cannot be used interchangeably. So, what is the correct way to use them?

Loose means not tight, not closely constrained or constricting. Loose is mainly an adjective used to describe things that are not tightly fitted. Where it is a verb, it means to release.

E. g.

I bought a loose shirt by mistake. (adjective)

They let the dogs loose on the thieves. (verb)

Lose means to misplace something or cease to have either physically or in an abstract sense. It is only a verb. 'To lose' means to suffer loss or be deprived of something or fail to keep possession of.

E. g.

Keep it safe or you will lose it.

To lose the next game means an exit from the league.

One simple and interesting way to remember the difference between the two words is to think that "loose has lost an 'o'".