Lose and Loose

Lose and loose

Although these two words do not sound the same when spoken, it is worth including them in this list because they are so often confused when written. People often write loose instead of lose—likely because in speech, the “oo” is pronounced in both words.

Lose means to misplace something or be unable to locate an object, person or oneself; be lost, unable to find the way. It also means to fail, not to win or achieve an objective.

After being locked out again, he swore he would never lose his keys again!

Everyone thought the British tennis player would lose the match.

Loose means not tight or strict, and also, unrestrained or unconfined.

Monks are often thought of as wearing loose robes but definitely not as people with loose morals!

The prisoners were on the loose.