Main Entry: lose

Pronunciation: \ˈlüz\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): lost \ˈlȯst\; los·ing \ˈlü-ziŋ\

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

Date: before 12th century

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 b : to make (oneself) withdrawn from immediate reality 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 lunchintransitive 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 lose touch with 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