lose / loose

verb / adjective/luːz/ · /luːs/ 🔊 listen

lose and loose are confused by one letter. Quick rule: lose (verb) = to misplace / not win (z sound). loose (adjective) = not tight (s sound). Tip: extra o = loose.

📖 Meanings

1lose = to misplace / not win (verb, /luːz/)
"Don't lose your keys." — (verb)
2loose = not tight (adjective, /luːs/)
"These pants are too loose." — (adjective)
3Tip: extra o = loose (not tight)
"A loose tooth." — (adjective)

🔄 Often confused

lose vs loose →then vs than →affect vs effect →

💬 Usage tips

lose = to misplace (verb)loose = not tight (adjective)lose weight
❓ Which is correct? “I always ___ my phone.”