loser

noun

los·​er ˈlü-zər 

1

: a person or thing that loses especially consistently

The team had a reputation for being a loser year after year.

2

: a person who is incompetent or unable to succeed

Don't waste your time on that loser.

also : something doomed to fail or disappoint

his position is a loser politically

—Fred Barnes

Synonyms

• disaster
• failure
• catastrophe
• disappointment

Examples of loser in a Sentence

The team had a reputation for being a loser year after year.

The loser of the bet has to buy drinks for the winner.

Whoever benefits from the new government programs, the real loser will be the American taxpayer.

That guy is a born loser.

Recent Examples on the Web

And immediately after the match, there is the post-match interview on court, the trophy presentation, as well as news conferences for both the winner and loser where the contrasting emotions are on display. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

During the competition, the losers are executed and the lone survivor is declared the winner. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025

But one this unique and anticipated deserved its own breakdown of winners and losers. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

Either way, Cherry will be the loser. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing loser

• bad/poor loser
• good loser
• sore loser

Rhymes for loser

• boozer
• bruiser
• chooser
• cruiser
• user
• abuser
• accuser
• diffuser
• multiuser