lose

lose

verb \ˈlüz\

lost \ˈlȯst\ los·ing \ˈlü-ziŋ\

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

a : 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>

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b : to make (oneself) withdrawn from immediate reality 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

Examples of LOSE

1. She's always losing her gloves.
2. Hold my hand: I don't want to lose you.
3. We lost the game by a score of 4–2.
4. He lost his title in the rematch.
5. The team lost three games but won the next four.
6. The team lost in the finals.
7. an athlete known for losing with grace
8. He hates to lose when money is involved.
9. How could she play that well and still lose?
10. The country lost its independence 50 years ago.

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LOSE

Synonyms

mislay, misplace

Antonyms

nail (down), win

Related Words

forget, miss, overlook, pass over

Near Antonyms

enjoy, have, hold, keep, occupy, own, possess, retain; descry, detect, find, locate, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down)

lose

transitive verb \ˈlüz\   (Medical Dictionary)

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>