a public grammar service

LOSE vs LOOSE

You either lost something, or something's not tied down. There is no in-between. Let's fix this once and for all — then you can prove it.

Take the quiz → Grab a card

Two words. One runaway letter.

Here's the whole trick: loose has an extra O rattling around in it. Lose is missing one entirely. That's the whole difference. You're welcome.

LOSE

verb

rhymes with snooze, booze, choose

To no longer have something. To fail to win. To misplace, forfeit, or generally be down one (1) item you used to have.

🔑 Memory trick: LOSE has lost a letter. It only has one O — it has, quite literally, less than LOOSE.
  • I always lose my keys the exact moment I need them.
  • Don't lose hope — the group chat still has your back.
  • We're going to lose this trivia round if you keep guessing "Wisconsin."

LOOSE

adjective

rhymes with goose, moose, juice

Not tightly fixed, fastened, or restrained. Free to jiggle, wander, or fall off entirely. Has room to move.

🔑 Memory trick: LOOSE has an extra O — two O's, more room to wiggle. It's got space, just like the thing it's describing.
  • These jeans are so loose I could fit a raccoon in the pockets.
  • The dog got loose again and is currently reviewing the neighbor's trash.
  • Keep a loose grip on the wheel, not a death grip.

Crimes against the letter O

Real sentences. Real regrets. Corrected for your protection.

"I'm gonna loose my mind."

I'm gonna lose my mind.

Your mind isn't untethered and wandering — it's gone. That's a lose situation.

"Tie your shoelaces, they're lose."

Tie your shoelaces, they're loose.

The laces haven't vanished. They're just flapping around, unrestrained. That's loose.

"Don't loose the game on purpose."

Don't lose the game on purpose.

You can't "loose" a game unless you're setting it free into the wild.