Lose

To cease to have or be able to find something; to be deprived of; to fail to keep; to fail to win; to waste or fail to make use of; to become unable to follow or understand something; or to gradually diminish or fail. The implications range from losing a physical object to losing a competition, opportunity, or even one's mind. The experience of losing can evoke disappointment, frustration, or even grief, depending on what is lost and the circumstances surrounding the loss. The word encapsulates a broad spectrum of outcomes, from the tangible to the abstract, reflecting the pervasive nature of loss in human experience. This word is vital to express concepts of subtraction, defeat, forfeiture, or to express losing hope or memory.

Lose meaning with examples

• During the intense game of hide-and-seek, little Timmy feared he'd lose his favourite teddy bear, which he clutched tightly. He spent the next hour looking, scouring his house up and down, feeling like he might never feel safe again, as the thought of his friend being lost was devastating to the small boy.
• The team was crestfallen; they failed to lose hope, even though their opponent clearly dominated the sport. Their performance had been subpar. After this defeat, the team decided it was not enough to perform to simply participate, and vowed to start practicing harder for the next round.
• After the recent car accident, the elderly man struggled to lose his keys. The loss of memory was the greatest loss to him, and made it impossible to drive. His inability to remember where he put his keys marked a significant shift in his cognitive abilities.
• The explorer had to lose the map and compass after losing his backpack during a dangerous storm. He lost his ability to find his way back to safety without the tools. He realized that in his weakened state, his chances of survival had been drastically reduced by this critical setback.
• The company knew they would lose the deal if they failed to lower their prices and compete with the rival company. They had already lowered their prices, as they knew how to make deals. However, they didn't expect how much their rivals would also lower prices. The team knew they were losing the deal as a result.