Lose vs Loss: What's the Difference?

The words loss and lose are often confused because they have a similar spelling. But what is the difference?

Loss means an instance of losing, such as a defeat when used as a noun.

Lose means to cause (something) to cease to be in one's possession or capability due to unfortunate or unknown circumstances, events or reasons when used as a verb.

A good way to remember the difference is Lose ends in a vowel because it's an action.

The Difference Between Lose vs Loss

It's easy to confuse the noun and verb forms of words, especially when they are spelled very similarly.

Loss is a noun that means "something that is lost, a detriment."

Lose is a verb that means "to come to be without something, to fail to retain."

Is the expression 'net operating loss deduction' or 'net operating lose deduction'?

The right phrase is 'net operating loss deduction'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.

Is the correct phrase 'the loss of the' or 'the lose of the'?

The correct expression is 'the loss of the'. These phrases are often confused because they appear similar.

Is the expression 'net operating loss carryover' or 'net operating lose carryover'?

The correct phrase is 'net operating loss carryover'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.

Is the expression 'at a loss to' or 'at a lose to'?

The correct phrase is 'at a loss to'. These phrases are often confused because they are easy to mistype.

Which is right 'for the loss of' or 'for the lose of'?

The correct expression is 'for the loss of'. These phrases are often confused because they look similar.

What's the correct phrase 'lose your lunch' or 'loss your lunch'?

The right expression is 'lose your lunch'. These phrases are often confused because they appear similar.

What's the right phrase 'lose your shirt' or 'loss your shirt'?

The correct expression is 'lose your shirt'. These phrases are often confused because they are easy to mistype.

Should it be 'lose your mind' or 'loss your mind'?

The correct phrase is 'lose your mind'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.

Some synonyms of loss are: casualty, death, defeat, deficit, misfortune, failure.

Some synonyms of lose are: misplace, fail, forget.