Lose

/lˈuːz/

/ˈɫuz/

Definition & Meaning of "lose"

to lose

VERB

to be deprived of or stop having someone or something

1.1

to fail or cause someone to fail to get someone or something

Example

Her procrastination may lose her the scholarship.

His rudeness could lose him the promotion.

His overconfidence could lose him the election.

She lost us the reservation with her last-minute cancellation.

Our mistake could lose us the chance to present at the conference.

1.2

to waste or fail to have good use of time or an opportunity

Example

The team lost precious minutes due to technical difficulties.

She lost valuable hours waiting for the delayed flight.

He lost an opportunity by not attending the job interview.

Don't lose the chance to learn something new.

1.3

to experience a reduction or decrease in the quantity or amount of something

Example

I'm losing my hair as I get older.

The doctor advised him to lose weight to improve his overall health.

She's been working hard to lose excess body fat.

She's been following a strict diet and exercise routine to lose weight.

to not know the location of a thing or person and be unable to find it

2.1

to become so immersed in one's thoughts, fantasies, or imagination that one temporarily disconnects from the present reality

Example

While gazing at the stars, he lost himself in contemplation of the universe.

As the waves crashed on the shore, she lost herself in thoughts of a distant paradise.

She often lost herself in daydreaming, envisioning a world of adventure.

2.2

to escape from or get rid of someone or something

Example

They lost the paparazzi by taking a secret exit.

I lost my stalker by taking a different route home.

We need to lose that annoying guy at the party.

2.3

to fail to understand, hear, or see

Example

Her message was lost in the chaos of the protest.

I lost sight of the ball in the bright sun.

Her warning was lost in the background noise.

2.4

to cause someone to become confused and be no longer able to understand or follow an explanation or argument

Example

You've lost me.

Your explanation started well, but you lost me halfway through.

His explanation became so technical that he lost me completely.

She delved into complex theories, and she lost me after a few sentences.

I was with you until you mentioned that, and now you've lost me.

2.5

to become directionally confused or disoriented, or unable to find one's intended path, direction, or location

Example

Without GPS, it's easy to lose your way in this maze-like city.

He was so engrossed in his book that he lost his way on the way home.

The thick fog made it easy to lose our bearings while hiking.

The heavy snowfall made it difficult to see, and we lost our way.

2.6

to deviate or stray from a particular belief or ideology one once followed

Example

After years of questioning, he lost his way in the religion he was raised in.

The organization started with a clear mission, but it has since lost its path.

The political party seemed to have lost its path when it shifted its ideology.

She had been a loyal member of the group, but she lost her way when its values changed.

She used to be a dedicated environmentalist, but she has lost her way in recent years.

to not win in a race, fight, game, etc.

3.1

to cause someone to not win in a race, fight, game, etc.

Example

Her stumble in the final lap lost her the race.

The coach's poor strategy lost us the championship.

His missed penalty kick lost the game for his team.

The controversial debate moment could have lost her the election.

to be deprived of someone because they are no longer alive

4.1

(of a pregnant person) to suffer the loss of a baby through miscarriage or during childbirth

Example

She lost the baby during her second trimester of pregnancy.

Tragically, she lost the baby when she was six months into her pregnancy.

Losing a baby in childbirth is a tragic experience for any family.

The couple grieved deeply when they lost their child to a miscarriage.

She had to go through a painful experience when she lost the baby at five months.

4.2

to suffer death or to pass away

Example

Many soldiers lost their lives during the war.

In the fire, they lost their lives while trying to save others.

The earthquake caused numerous people to lose their lives.

The memorial was erected to honor those who had lost their lives in the tragic event.

Despite the efforts of the medical team, the patient eventually lost his life.

to earn less than one's expenditure, especially in business

to remove a particular part or feature of something that is considered unnecessary or unwanted

(of clocks or watches) to operate slower than what is normal and to show time behind the correct time

Example

The town lost power during the blackout.

She lost her hearing as a result of the loud explosion.

If you don't take precautions, you might lose your belongings in a crowded place.

She began to lose interest in the project as it became more complicated.

After a bout of illness, he temporarily lost his appetite but soon recovered.

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Definition & Meaning of "lose"

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