lose

verb

ˈlüz

lost ˈlȯst

; losing ˈlü-ziŋ

transitive verb

: to bring to destruction

—used chiefly in passive construction

the ship was lost on the reef

: damn

if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul

Matthew 16:26 (King James Version)

: to miss from one's possession or from a customary or supposed place

lost his glove

: to suffer deprivation of : part with especially in an unforeseen or accidental manner

lost his leg in an auto accident

: to suffer loss through the death or removal of or final separation from (a person)

lost a son in the war

: to fail to keep control of or allegiance (see allegiance sense 2) of

lose votes

lost his temper

: 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

: to fail to catch with the senses or the mind

lost what she said

: to cause the loss of

: to fail to keep, sustain, or maintain

lost my balance

: to cause to miss one's way or bearings

lost himself in the maze of streets

: to make (oneself) withdrawn from immediate reality

lost herself in daydreaming

: to wander or go astray from

lost his way

: to draw away from : outstrip

lost his pursuers

: to fail to keep in sight or in mind

lost the thief in the crowded street

: to free oneself from : get rid of

dieting to lose weight

slang : regurgitate, vomit

—often used in such phrases as lose one's lunch

intransitive verb

: to undergo deprivation of something of value

investors lost heavily

: to undergo defeat

lose with good grace

of a timepiece : to run slow

losable

ˈlü-zə-bəl

adjective

losableness noun

Phrases

lose ground

: to suffer loss or disadvantage : fail to advance or improve

lose it

: to fail to maintain a hold on reality

also : to go crazy

: to become overwhelmed with strong emotion : lose one's composure

so angry I almost lost it

lose one's heart

: to fall in love

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Around the time of the DCCC conversation, pundits and pollsters projected Democrats would lose the House by a wide margin.

Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2022 Woods made one play, then another, then made a key catch on the sideline, then broke free for a 28-yard grab to set up a go-ahead score in a game the Colts would eventually lose.

The Indianapolis Star, 29 Nov. 2022 In studying flight attendents on the job, Hochschild saw how these workers, required to smile and speak sweetly to irate, out-of-control customers, would lose touch with their experience of emotion and identity.

Tara Mcmullin, Quartz, 28 Nov. 2022 Germany would lose its first two games at this tournament.

Rory Smith, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2022 According to the plans for the O’Hare 21 project, the satellite concourses ensure the airport would not lose gate capacity while Terminal 2 is being rebuilt.

Maddie Ellis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Nov. 2022 Small ranch towns like Pinedale and even major farm service centers like Yuma would lose jobs and population as they are forced to reduce production.

Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 20 Nov. 2022 The state argues that the agency would lose revenue if loans are forgiven.

Melissa Noel, Essence, 19 Nov. 2022 The staff sergeant next to him was decapitated and the gunner between them would lose his legs.

Debbie Cenziper, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2022 See More

These 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.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of lose was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century