What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mislay
Example
I seem to have mislaid my keys again. [mislay: verb]
Example
She often mislays her phone and spends hours looking for it. [mislay: present tense]
lose
Example
I always lose my sunglasses when I go to the beach. [lose: verb]
Example
He lost his wallet on the train and never saw it again. [lost: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lose is more commonly used than mislay in everyday language. Lose is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mislay is less common and refers specifically to the act of misplacing something.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mislay and lose?
Both mislay and lose are considered formal words, but lose is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
