lose out

verb

lost out; losing out; loses out

intransitive verb

: to fail to win in competition : fail to receive an expected reward or gain

Examples of lose out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dean lost out on a 3-for-1 qualifier at West Lancashire two weeks ago and was invited to compete. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

The Patterson plaintiffs maintain that losing out on another season deprives them of potential NIL income, revenue-sharing payments, scholarship money and educational benefits. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026

But the people who make a living from words are not the only ones who lose out in a postliterate age. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

The support comes after Jones lost out on the coveted endorsement from Wilson, which went to former Miami-Dade County commissioner Oliver Gilbert, who once served as Miami Gardens mayor. — Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1858, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lose out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout