Lose
/luːz/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo suffer the deprivation of; to fail to keep or maintain.
/luːz/
To be deprived of something.
I lost my wallet on the bus.
💡 Simply: Like when you can't find your favorite toy or when your team doesn't win a game, you *lose* it. It means something is gone or you didn't succeed.
👶 For kids: When something goes away, like your toy or the game. You don't have it anymore.
More Examples
She's afraid she'll lose her job.
They lost the game in the last minute.
How It's Used
"He lost his keys."
"The team lost the game."
To be defeated in a competition or contest.
/luːz/
To fail to win.
We lost the final game.
💡 Simply: Think of *losing* in a game. You don't get the prize or you're not the winner. The other person or team wins.
👶 For kids: When you play a game and the other person wins, you lose!
More Examples
They lost in the first round.
The candidate lost the election.
How It's Used
"The team lost to their rivals."
"She lost the competition."
To misplace or be unable to find something.
/luːz/
To become unable to find something.
I always lose my glasses.
💡 Simply: Have you ever misplaced your favorite toy? That's like *losing* something. You don't know where it is anymore.
👶 For kids: When you don't know where something is, like your toy or a book. You can't find it!
More Examples
He loses track of time.
She lost her appetite.
How It's Used
"I often lose my phone."
"She loses her keys every week."
Idioms & expressions
lose heart
To become discouraged.
"Don't lose heart; you'll find a job soon."
lose one's temper
To become suddenly angry.
"He lost his temper and started shouting."
lose sight of
To forget about or be unaware of something important.
"We must not lose sight of our goals."
From Old English *losian* 'to be lost, perish,' related to *leosan* 'to lose, destroy'.
The word 'lose' has been used since Old English times, and it has remained largely consistent in its core meaning.
Memory tip
Imagine you *lose* your favorite toy. It's gone! You can't find it anymore.