- Main Entry:
- lose
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈlüz\
- Function:
- verb
- Inflected Form(s):
- lost \ˈlȯst\; los·ing \ˈlü-ziŋ\
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Old English losian to perish, lose, from los destruction; akin to Old English lēosan to lose; akin to Old Norse losa to loosen, Latin luere to atone for, Greek lyein to loosen, dissolve, destroy
- Date:
- before 12th century
transitive verb1 a: to bring to destruction —used chiefly in passive construction <the ship was lost on the reef> b: damn <if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul — Matthew 16:26(Authorized Version)>2: to miss from one's possession or from a customary or supposed place3: to suffer deprivation of : part with especially in an unforeseen or accidental manner4 a: to suffer loss through the death or removal of or final separation from (a person) b: to fail to keep control of or allegiance of <lose votes> <lost his temper>5 a: to fail to use : let slip by : waste <no time to lose> b (1): to fail to win, gain, or obtain <lose a prize> <lose a contest> (2): to undergo defeat in <lost every battle> c: to fail to catch with the senses or the mind <lost what she said>6: to cause the loss of7: to fail to keep, sustain, or maintain <lost my balance>8 a: to cause to miss one's way or bearings <lost himself in the maze of streets> b: to make (oneself) withdrawn from immediate reality <lost herself in daydreaming>9 a: to wander or go astray from <lost his way> b: to draw away from : outstrip <lost his pursuers>10: to fail to keep in sight or in mind11: to free oneself from : get rid of <dieting to lose weight>12slang : regurgitate, vomit —often used in such phrases as lose one's lunchintransitive verb1: to undergo deprivation of something of value2: to undergo defeat <lose with good grace>3of a timepiece : to run slow
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los·able \ˈlü-zə-bəl\ adjective — los·able·ness noun
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lose ground : to suffer loss or disadvantage : fail to advance or improve
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lose it 1: to lose touch with reality; also : to go crazy2: to become overwhelmed with strong emotion : lose one's composure <so angry I almost lost it>
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lose one's heart : to fall in love
