LOSE vs LOOSE | Commonly Confused Words | Definition & Examples

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Homonyms LOSE vs LOOSE are words that sound the same when pronounced, but are spelled differently and have different meanings.

Difference between LOSE vs LOOSE

Lose | Definition & Examples

Many people make this mistake. They inevitably interchange the words loose and lose while writing.

LOSE means to suffer a loss or defeat. 

Thus, you would write:

• Wrong: I don’t want to loose you.
• Correct: I don’t want to lose you.

Other examples:

• Sit down or you’ll lose your seat.
• The train was losing speed.
• The business is losing money.
• Hurry—there’s no time to lose!
• I’m trying to lose weight so I have to steer clear of fattening foods.
• I’m trying to lose weight.

Loose | Definition & Examples

LOOSE means not firm or not fitting. 

In this context, you would write,

• Wrong: My shirt is lose.
• Correct: My shirt is loose.

Other examples:

• The potatoes were sold loose, not in bags.
• The sheep had got out and were loose on the road.
• She usually wears her hair loose.
• Tom likes to wear loose-fitting clothes.
• She usually wears her hair loose.

Confused Words – LOSE and LOOSE | Infographic