lose
14 antonyms and opposites of lose, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To no longer have something you once had, whether by accident, carelessness, or misfortune.
Antonyms
How to use lose
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English losian, meaning to perish or be lost. Its modern pronunciation was reshaped over time by confusion with the unrelated word "loose."
Full origin of lose →Frequently asked questions
What does “lose” mean?
The word “lose” means to no longer have something you once had, whether by accident, carelessness, or misfortune. In plain terms, to no longer have something, or to fail to win.
How do you pronounce “lose”?
“Lose” is pronounced looz (/luːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “lose” in a sentence?
Here is “lose” used in a sentence: “He lost his job when the factory closed down.”
What is another word for “lose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lose” include leave behind, mislay, (fail to win: forfeit, (shed: drop, shed and forlese.
What is the opposite of “lose”?
The opposite of “lose” — its antonyms — are come across, discover, find, gain and acquire.
What part of speech is “lose”?
“Lose” is a verb.
Where does the word “lose” come from?
The word “lose” comes from Old English. From Old English losian, meaning to perish or be lost. Its modern pronunciation was reshaped over time by confusion with the unrelated word "loose.".
Is “lose” a common word?
“Lose” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between lose and loose?
Lose is a verb meaning to no longer have something, as in "don't lose your keys." Loose is usually an adjective meaning not tight or not firmly fixed, as in "a loose screw." The single versus double "o" is the key: lose has one, loose has two.
What is the difference between lose and misplace?
To lose something means you no longer have it, whether permanently or temporarily, through accident, carelessness, or misfortune. To misplace something is milder and usually temporary, meaning you have simply forgotten where you put it and expect to find it again. All misplacing is losing, but not all losing is misplacing.
What is the opposite of lose?
The opposites depend on the sense. When lose means to stop having something, the opposites are keep, find, or gain. When it refers to a contest, the opposite is win. So you might lose your keys and later find them, or lose a match you hoped to win.