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adj Very common

losing

LOO-zihng

Losing (adj) means not winning; on course to be defeated, or already resulting in loss. Example: “They were fighting a losing battle against the rising floodwater.”

adj
1
Not winning; on course to be defeated, or already resulting in loss.
"They were fighting a losing battle against the rising floodwater."
noun
1
The act or process of no longer having something.
"The losing of his passport delayed the whole trip."

How to Use Losing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes something that is failing to win, or the act of loss itself.

Common pairings
a losing battle a losing streak losing side

Word Forms

losings plural

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They were fighting a _____ battle against the rising floodwater.

Related Words

Rhymes for losing

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “losing” mean?

The word “losing” means not winning; on course to be defeated, or already resulting in loss. In plain terms, describes something that is failing to win, or the act of loss itself.

How do you pronounce “losing”?

“Losing” is pronounced LOO-zihng (/ˈluzɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “losing” in a sentence?

Here is “losing” used in a sentence: “They were fighting a losing battle against the rising floodwater.”

What part of speech is “losing”?

Depending on how it is used, “losing” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “losing” a common word?

“Losing” is a very common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “losing” have?

“Losing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not winning; on course to be defeated, or already resulting in loss.

What is the difference between 'losing' and 'loosing'?

These are different words, often confused because of a single letter. 'Losing' (one o) means failing to win, as in a losing team. 'Loosing' (two o's) means releasing or setting free, from the verb 'loose.' If you mean not winning, you almost always want 'losing'; 'loosing' is rare in everyday writing.

What is the opposite of 'losing'?

The direct opposite is 'winning.' A losing team is one heading for defeat, while a winning team is on course for victory. Other opposites depend on context — 'successful' or 'profitable' can contrast with a losing venture that keeps costing money without any return.

What is a losing streak?

A losing streak is a run of consecutive defeats or failures with no win in between. The term is common in sport and gambling, but it applies anywhere someone repeatedly falls short. It ends the moment a win breaks the sequence. Its opposite is a winning streak.

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