v.
Pronunciation: ' lüz
Function: verb
Inflected Form: lost \ ' lo ̇ st \ ; los · ing \ ' lü-zi ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English losian to perish, lose, from los destruction; akin to Old English l ē osan 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 verb
1 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 ― Mount 16:26(AV)>
2 : to miss from one's possession or from a customary or supposed place
3 : to suffer deprivation of : part with especially in an unforeseen or accidental manner
4 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 of
7 : 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 b : to make (oneself) withdrawn from immediate reality 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 mind
11 : to free oneself from : get rid of <dieting to lose weight>
12 slang : REGURGITATE , VOMIT ― often used in such phrases as lose one's lunch
intransitive verb
1 : to undergo deprivation of something of value
2 : to undergo defeat < lose with good grace>
3 of a timepiece : to run slow
– los · able \ ' lü-z ə -b ə l \ adjective
– los · able · ness noun
– lose ground : to suffer loss or disadvantage : fail to advance or improve
– lose it
1 : to lose touch with reality also : to go crazy
2 : to become overwhelmed with strong emotion : lose one's composure <so angry I almost lost it >
– lose one's heart : to fall in love