First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
lose
verb \ˈlüz\
: to be unable to find (something or someone)
: to fail to win (a game, contest, etc.)
: to fail to keep or hold (something wanted or valued)
lost \ˈlȯst\ los·ing \ˈlü-ziŋ\
Full Definition of LOSE
transitive verb
1
a : 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(Authorized Version)>
2
: to miss from one's possession or from a customary or supposed place
3
: to suffer deprivation of : part with especially in an unforeseen or accidental manner
4
a : to suffer loss through the death or removal of or final separation from (a person) b : to fail to keep control of or allegiance of <lose votes> <lost his temper>
5
6
: to cause the loss of
7
: to fail to keep, sustain, or maintain <lost my balance>
8
a : 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 b : to make (oneself) withdrawn from immediate reality 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>
9
a : 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
11
: to free oneself from : get rid of <dieting to lose weight>
12
slang : regurgitate, vomit —often used in such phrases as lose one's lunch
intransitive verb
1
: to undergo deprivation of something of value
2
: to undergo defeat <lose with good grace>
3
of a timepiece : to run slow
— los·able \ˈlü-zə-bəl\ adjective
— los·able·ness noun
— lose ground
: to suffer loss or disadvantage : fail to advance or improve
— lose it
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>
— lose one's heart
: to fall in love
See lose defined for English-language learners
See lose defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of LOSE
Middle English, from Old English losian to perish, lose, from los destruction; akin to Old English lēosan to lose; akin to Old Norse losa to loosen, Latin luere to atone for, Greek lyein to loosen, dissolve, destroy
Related to LOSE
- Antonyms
- nail (down), win
LOSE Defined for Kids
lose
verb \ˈlüz\
lost \ˈlȯst\los·ing \ˈlü-ziŋ\
Definition of LOSE for Kids
1
: to be unable to find or have at hand <I lost my keys.>
2
: to become deprived of <She lost her job.>
3
: to become deprived of by death <She lost her grandfather.>
4
: to fail to use : waste <There's no time to lose.>
5
: to fail to win <They lost the game.>
6
: to fail to keep <She lost her balance.> <He lost control.>
— los·er noun
Headscratcher for LOSE
It's easy to mix up lose and loose. Lose means to not have something for some reason and only has one “o,” but rhymes with “snooze.” Loose means to make less tight and rhymes with “moose.” So you might lose weight, but you couldn't really loose weight.
Medical Dictionary
lose
transitive verb \ˈlüz\
lost \ˈlȯst\ los·ing
Medical Definition of LOSE
1
: to become deprived of or lacking in <lose consciousness> <lost her sense of smell>; also : to part with in an unforeseen or accidental manner <lose a leg in an auto crash>
2
a : to suffer deprivation through the death or removal of or final separation from (a person) <lost a son in the war> b : to fail to keep (a patient) from dying <have lost many fewer pneumonia cases since penicillin came into use>
3
: to fail to keep, sustain, or maintain <lose one's balance>
4
: to free oneself from : get rid of <dieting to lose weight>
Learn More About LOSE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: loselPrevious Word in the Dictionary: Loschmidt numberAll Words Near: lose
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up lose? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).