VocabDictionary

lose

/luหz/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.verb

To be deprived of or cease to have or retain something.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œI always seem to lose my keys right before I need to leave for work.โ€
  • โ€œShe was devastated to lose her grandfather last winter.โ€
2.verb

To fail to win a game, contest, or argument.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œIt is difficult to accept when your favorite team continues to lose every match.โ€
  • โ€œHe played well, but he was destined to lose to the reigning champion.โ€
3.verb

To become unable to find or track something or someone.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œWe managed to lose our pursuers in the crowded marketplace.โ€
  • โ€œDon't lose sight of your long-term goals while focusing on daily tasks.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œloseโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old English 'losian', meaning 'to perish, be lost, or be destroyed.' It stems from the Proto-Germanic '*lausjanฤ…', which is related to the concept of 'loosen' or 'set free.' Historically, it evolved from a sense of 'becoming separated from' to the modern senses of misplacing items or failing to win.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Lose has only one 'o', unlike 'loose' which has two; think of 'losing' an 'o' to become 'lose'.

Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œloseโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œloseโ€ in English?

In English, lose (verb) is defined as: โ€œTo be deprived of or cease to have or retain something.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œloseโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œI always seem to lose my keys right before I need to leave for work.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œloseโ€?

Common synonyms include:misplace,forfeit,drop,squander

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œloseโ€?

Derived from the Old English 'losian', meaning 'to perish, be lost, or be destroyed.' It stems from the Proto-Germanic '*lausjanฤ…', which is related to the concept of 'loosen' or 'set free.' Historically, it evolved from a sense of 'becoming separated from' to the modern senses of misplacing items or failing to win.