Meaning & use

lose

verb·Everyday

To no longer have something because it has been misplaced, taken away, or given up.

See it in a sentence

He lost his passport somewhere between the airport and the hotel.

The company lost several major clients after raising its prices sharply.

A note on using this word

Many learners confuse lose with loose; loose is an adjective meaning not tight, while lose is this verb.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

findgain

Another way to use it

2. verb

To fail to win a game, contest, or competition.

Our team lost the final by a single point after a tense overtime.

Make it your own

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