Losing

ˈluːzɪŋ

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To be defeated in a game, contest, or other competition; to fail to keep something or someone.

ˈluːzɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To be defeated or fail to win.

The home team is currently losing by one point.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game and your team doesn't score enough points, or someone takes something from you. That's losing! For instance, imagine you are playing soccer and the other team scores more goals than yours, you are losing the game.

👶 For kids: When you don't win a game or can't find something you had.

More Examples

2

He's been losing money on this investment.

3

She's losing her patience.

How It's Used

Sports

"The team is currently losing the game."

Competition

"She's losing in the election polls."

2

To become unable to find or keep something; to suffer the deprivation of; to be deprived of or no longer have.

ˈluːzɪŋ

verbneutralmedium
Change

To experience the depletion or disappearance of something.

The company is losing market share.

💡 Simply: Sometimes, we lose things. Like, you can lose your keys or your train of thought. It means that you cannot find it or keep it anymore. You're like, "Where did it go?"!

👶 For kids: When you can't find something or it goes away.

More Examples

2

He is losing sleep over his problems.

3

I am losing my ability to concentrate.

How It's Used

General

"She's losing her grip on reality."

Health

"He's losing his hair."

Tip:Imagine watching something fade away or slip through your fingers.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

lose heart

To become discouraged.

"Don't lose heart; you'll find a job soon."

lose track

To be no longer aware of something's progression.

"I lost track of time while I was reading."

From Middle English losen, losien, from Old English losian (“to be lost, perish”), from los (“loss”).

The word 'losing' has been used since the Old English period, originating from the verb 'losian'.

Memory tip

Think of the feeling of disappointment when your team loses.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"to be lost, perish"

losing gamelosing moneylosing tracklosing battle

Common misspellings

loosinglooseing

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written