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Manser, Martin H. "loose/loosen/lose." Writer's Reference Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 9 Apr. 2025. <http://fofweb.infobase.com/wrc/Detail.aspx?iPin=GTGW700>.
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loose/loosen/lose

Definition 
These three verbs are sometimes confused, although they vary in meaning. Loose means "undo" or "set free" (loose the knot; loose the dog), whereas loosen means "make less tight" (loosen the fastening). Lose variously means "fail to win," "suffer the loss of," or "fail to keep" (lose the battle; lose your shoes; lose your way). Note that loose and loosen are pronounced with a soft s (as in noose), unlike lose, which is pronounced with a hard z sound (as in ooze).

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