lose
/luːz/To fail to keep or maintain possession of something; to misplace or be deprived of something.
She lost her keys and couldn't get into her house.
He lost his wallet while traveling.
Often used with objects, opportunities, or abstract concepts like time or confidence.
To fail to win a game, competition, or contest.
The team lost the championship by one point.
She lost the debate to her opponent.
Commonly used in sports and competitive contexts.
To experience a decrease in something, such as weight, value, or intensity.
He lost weight after starting a new diet.
The stock lost value overnight.
Often used with abstract or measurable quantities.
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💡Pro Tip
Common Confusion
Remember that 'lose' is a verb, while 'loose' is an adjective meaning not tight.
⚡Gold Rule
Past Tense
The past tense of 'lose' is 'lost', not 'loosed'.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'losen', from Old English 'losian', meaning 'to perish, destroy, or lose'. Related to Old Norse 'los' (destruction) and Old High German 'lōzan' (to lose).
📝Usage Notes
The past tense and past participle of 'lose' is 'lost'. Commonly confused with 'loose', which means not tight or free.