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Home » What’s the Difference Between Loose and Lose?

What’s the Difference Between Loose and Lose?

Key Difference: This blog will show you the contradictions between loose and lose in the English language with proper explanations. Generally, loose means not tightly fixed in place. Whereas, lose is referred to fail at something. Here you find out when/where/how to use these words while speaking in English with proper example sentences.

Loose: The screw became loose.
Lose: Don’t lose hope.

LoosePinLosePin
Loose Vs Lose

Loose:

LoosePin

Not firmly.

The term “loose” refers to something that is not tightly fixed in place. Let’s see an example to make it clear for you. The rope is loose and it cannot hold the weight. From this statement, we might understand that the rope cannot hold the weight because it is loose. Here we come up with another example for your reference. Mom said to wear loose clothes and they are more comfortable.

How Do We Spell the Word Loose?

The phonetics pronunciation of the word Loose is luːs. And this word sounds like the following audio.

Enunciation:

Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Loose” by syllables. 

  • The word “Loose” has only one syllable
  • It cannot be divided.

Using “Loose” in sentences:

  • This door handle is too loose.
  • It is slightly loose.
  • She has a loose tooth.
  • Riya looks beautiful in loose hair.
  • He wears loose clothes.

Lose:

LosePin

Fail at something.

The word “Lose” refers to fail at something. Let’s see an example to make it clear for you. We lost the game by a score of 4 – 2. From this statement, we might understand that someone said that they lost the game in the difference of two points. Here we come up with another example for your reference. Enid really wants to lose weight. From this statement, we might understand that someone wants to lose her weight.

How Do We Spell the Word Lose?

Phonetics pronunciation of the word Lose is luːz. And this word sounds like the following audio.

Enunciation:

Syllables are phonological building blocks of words. It divides the words into parts that can help you read words more accurately. Let’s see how to split the word How using syllables. Learning syllables can also help you to spell words correctly. 

  • The word “Lose” has only one syllable
  • It cannot be divided.

Using “Lose” in sentences:

  • Don’t lose your temper.
  • I am afraid we will lose the game.
  • I don’t want to lose this match.
  • She really wants to lose weight.
  • Many trees lose their leaves in the winter.

Compare: Loose Vs Lose

This table will show the contradiction between the words’ Loose and Lose.

Loose Lose
DefinitionNot firmly or tightly.Fail at something.
SynonymsMovable, insecure, detachedNo longer have, drop, misplace
AntonymsTight, secureRegain, find
EtymologyMiddle English loos ‘free from bonds’, from Old Norse lauss, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German los.Old English losian ‘perish, destroy’, also ‘become unable to find’, from los ‘loss’.
ExamplesHe let the animals loose.
She loves to wear loose clothes because they are comfortable.
This outfit is loose for me.
Her hair was free, long, and loose.
Don’t lose heart.
I won’t lose this match.
She was advised by him to lose weight.
Does eating vegetables help you lose weight?
Loose Vs Lose

Resources and References:

Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (Loose, Lose), Merriam-Webster (Loose, Lose), Collins Dictionary (Loose, Lose), Dictionary.com (Loose, Lose)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2], CollinsDictionary.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].

  1. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/loose
  2. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lose
  3. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/loose
  4. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/lose

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