lose
verb
\ ˈlüz
\
\
lost\ ˈlȯst
\;
losing\ ˈlü-ziŋ
\
\;
losing\ ˈlü-ziŋ
\
Definition of lose
1a
: to bring to destruction
—used chiefly in passive construction the ship was lost on the reef
b
: damn
if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul — Matthew 16:26 (King James Version)
2
: to miss from one's possession or from a customary or supposed place
lost his glove
3
: to suffer deprivation of : part with especially in an unforeseen or accidental manner
lost his leg in an auto accident
4a
: to suffer loss through the death or removal of or final separation from (a person)
lost a son in the war
b
: to fail to keep control of orallegiance (see allegiance sense 2) of
lose votes lost his temper
5a
: to fail to use : let slip by : waste
no time to lose
b(1)
: to fail to win, gain, or obtain
lose a prize lose a contest
(2)
: to undergo defeat in
lost every battle
c
: to fail to catch with the senses or the mind
lost what she said
6
: to cause the loss of
7
: to fail to keep, sustain, or maintain
lost my balance
8a
: to cause to miss one's way or bearings
lost himself in the maze of streets
b
: to make (oneself) withdrawn from immediate reality
lost herself in daydreaming
9a
: to wander or go astray from
lost his way
b
: to draw away from : outstrip
lost his pursuers
10
: to fail to keep in sight or in mind
lost the thief in the crowded street
11
: to free oneself from : get rid of
dieting to lose weight
1
: to undergo deprivation of something of value
investors lost heavily
2
: to undergo defeat
lose with good grace
3
of a timepiece
: to run slow
lose ground
lose it
lose one's heart
: to suffer loss or disadvantage : fail to advance or improve
1
: to fail to maintain a hold on reality
also
: to go crazy
2
: to become overwhelmed with strong emotion : lose one's composure
so angry I almost lost it
: to fall in love
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Other Words from lose
losable
\ ˈlü-zə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
losableness
noun
Examples of lose in a Sentence
She's always losing her gloves.
Hold my hand: I don't want to lose you.
We lost the game by a score of 4–2.
He lost his title in the rematch.
The team lost three games but won the next four.
The team lost in the finals.
an athlete known for losing with grace
He hates to lose when money is involved.
How could she play that well and still lose?
The country lost its independence 50 years ago.
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Recent Examples on the Web
In four days of fighting Mattis didn't lose a single Marine, and his men rolled into Kuwait cheered as liberators. — CBS News, "Gen. Jim Mattis on war and Trump," 1 Sep. 2019 The producers lost on having Mary Richards divorced (instead, she had been dumped by her long-time boyfriend). — Washington Post, "Valerie Harper broke taboos, stole hearts as TV’s Rhoda," 31 Aug. 2019 The Crimson Tide hasn’t lost to an unranked team since falling to Auburn 17-10 on Nov. 24, 2007. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "SEC Football by the Numbers: Top 10 for Week 1," 31 Aug. 2019 Westminster lost a pair of perennial offensive threats when Veronica Maring and Haleigh Moore graduated back in June. — Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Fall Sports Previews: 3 things to watch for field hockey in 2019," 31 Aug. 2019 According to the Norwegian journalist Tarjei Svensen, Carlsen hadn’t lost a playoff since 2007. — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, "Magnus Carlsen Was Defeated, But the Draw Remains Dominant in Chess," 30 Aug. 2019 On the other hand, New York is a 4.5-point underdog which means a gambler betting on the Giants would would need to win, or not lose the game by more than four points for the gambler to win. — Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star, "Take a look inside a sports book at one of first Indiana casinos to offer wagering on NFL, NCAA, NBA," 30 Aug. 2019 The producers lost on having Mary Richards divorced (instead, she had been dumped by her long-time boyfriend). — John Rogers, Anchorage Daily News, "Valerie Harper, TV’s Rhoda, dies at age 80," 30 Aug. 2019 The producers lost on having Mary Richards divorced (instead, she had been dumped by her long-time boyfriend). — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Valerie Harper, TV’s Rhoda, has died at 80," 30 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for lose