lose
looz
Lose (verb) means to no longer have something you once had, whether by accident, carelessness, or misfortune. Example: “Be careful not to lose your passport while you are travelling.”
verb
1
To no longer have something you once had, whether by accident, carelessness, or misfortune.
"Be careful not to lose your passport while you are travelling."
"She lost her keys somewhere between the car and the front door."
"He lost his job when the factory closed down."
2
To fail to win a game, competition, or argument.
"I always lose at chess when I play against my brother."
"The home team lost the final by a single point."
"Don't take it personally if you lose this round."
3
To become unable to find your way, or to no longer be able to follow or track someone or something.
"The fog was so thick that we lost the path and had to turn back."
"We lost the trail once the snow started falling."
"The runners managed to lose the reporters chasing them."
How to use lose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo no longer have something, or to fail to win.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "lose" (rhymes with "choose") with "loose" (rhymes with "juice", meaning not tight). Mixing up the spelling is one of the most common English errors.
Common pairings
lose weight
lose track of
lose your temper
lose a game
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- loses
- Past tense
- lost
- Archaic forms
- losest, lostest, loseth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful not to _____ your passport while you are travelling.
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lose
See all rhymes for 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.
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