- 1
To cease to have (something) in one's possession or capability.transitive
- If you lose that ten-pound note, you'll be sorry.
- He lost his hearing in the explosion.
- 2
To cease to have (something) in one's possession or capability.; To have (an organ) removed from one's body, especially by accident.transitive
- Johnny lost a tooth, but kept it for the tooth fairy.
- He lost his spleen in a car wreck.
- 3
To cease to have (something) in one's possession or capability.; To shed (weight).transitive
- I’ve lost five pounds this week.
- 4
To cease to have (something) in one's possession or capability.; To experience the death of (someone to whom one has an attachment, such as a relative or friend).transitive
- She lost all her sons in the war.
- 5
To cease to have (something) in one's possession or capability.; To pay or owe (some wager) due from an unsuccessful bet or gamble.transitive
- Frank had lost $500 staying in Vegas.
- 6
To cease to have (something) in one's possession or capability.; To be deprived of (some right or privileged access to something).transitive
- Users who engage in disruptive behavior may lose their accounts.
- 7
To wander from; to miss, so as not to be able to find; to go astray from.transitive
- I lost my way in the forest.
- 8
To become a defeated competitor in (a game, competition, trial, etc).transitive
- We lost the football match.
- You just lost The Game.
- 9
To be defeated (in a game, competition, contest, etc.)intransitive
- The team scored four goals but still managed to lose.
- 10
To be unable to follow or trace (somebody or something) any longer.transitive
- The policeman lost the robber he was chasing.
- Mission control lost the satellite as its signal died down.
syn. leave behind · mislay · (fail to win: forfeit · (shed: drop, shed · forlese · lose
ant. come across · discover · find · gain · acquire · procure · get · pick up