adj
Very common
losing
LOO-zihng
Losing (adj) means not winning; on course to be defeated, or already resulting in loss. Example: “The losing team shook hands with the winners and walked off the pitch.”
adj
1
Not winning; on course to be defeated, or already resulting in loss.
"The losing team shook hands with the winners and walked off the pitch."
"Running the shop at a loss felt like a losing proposition from the start."
"They were fighting a losing battle against the rising floodwater."
noun
1
The act or process of no longer having something.
"The losing of a single glove meant she had to buy a whole new pair."
"The slow losing of her hearing worried the whole family."
"The losing of his passport delayed the whole trip."
How to use losing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something that is failing to win, or the act of loss itself.
Common pairings
a losing battle
a losing streak
losing side
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like losing.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- losings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ team shook hands with the winners and walked off the pitch.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for losing
See all rhymes for losing →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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include losing:
