lose

verb
UK: /luːz/
US: /luːz/

  1. To no longer have something because you do not know where it is.

    1. I lose my keys all the time so I bought a key tracker. [ ] [ ]
    2. Don't lose sight of your goals, even when things get difficult. [ ] [ ]

  2. To be defeated in a game, competition, election, etc.

    1. Our team did lose, but we tried our best during the game. [ ] [ ]
    2. The company did lose millions due to the recent market decline. [ ] [ ]

  3. To have something removed or taken away, often by death or other misfortune.

    1. I did lose my wallet on the bus, unfortunately. [ ] [ ]
    2. She did lose her mother after a courageous battle with cancer. [ ] [ ]

  4. To waste or fail to use something useful or valuable.

    1. Don't lose your chance to speak up in the meeting. [ ] [ ]
    2. He didn't lose any opportunity to advance his own career. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

squander forfeit misplace
lose adjective

  1. Not knowing where you are.

    1. I get lose in this big city. [ ] [ ]
    2. I felt lose in the maze of alleyways and narrow streets. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "lose" in English means: To no longer have something because you do not know where it is., To be defeated in a game, competition, election, etc., To have something removed or taken away, often by death or other misfortune., To waste or fail to use something useful or valuable..

The phonetic transcription of "lose" is /luːz/ in British English and /luːz/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "lose": squander, forfeit, misplace.

Example usage of "lose": "I lose my keys all the time so I bought a key tracker.". More examples on the page.