Quick answer: Lose (one O) is a verb: to misplace something or not win. Loose (two Os) is an adjective: not tight or not fixed in place.
Lose
“Don’t lose your keys.” “We might lose the game.” Past tense: lost.
Loose
“These jeans are too loose.” “The dog got loose.” “A loose screw.”
Examples
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| I don’t want to loose my job. | I don’t want to lose my job. |
| Try to loose weight. | Try to lose weight. |
| My shoelace is lose. | My shoelace is loose. |
Memory trick
Loose has extra room for another O, just like loose clothes have extra room. Lose has lost an O.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it “lose weight” or “loose weight”?
“Lose weight”, because lose is the verb.
How do you pronounce them?
“Lose” rhymes with “shoes”. “Loose” rhymes with “goose”.
What is the past tense of lose?
“Lost”: “I lost my wallet.”