to no longer have something because you cannot find it
I always lose my keys when I'm in a hurry.
Maria realized she had lost her phone on the crowded bus.
✦ Old English “losian” meaning to perish or be lost, later shifting to the modern sense of misplacing or no longer possessing.
to be defeated in a game, competition, or battle
Our team didn’t want to lose, but the other side played better.
She has never lost a chess match at school.
to have something taken away, removed, or destroyed
Many people lost their homes in the flood.
She fears she might lose her job during the company cuts.
to reduce your body weight
He wants to lose five kilos before summer.
After changing her diet, Anna has lost a lot of weight.
to waste or spend something such as time or money without benefit
We lost an hour sitting in traffic.
The company lost millions on that failed project.
to stop having connection, understanding, or signal
I’m driving through a tunnel, so I may lose you for a minute.
My phone lost the signal during the storm.
informal and slightly insulting word for someone thought to be unsuccessful, unpopular, or lacking confidence
Henry felt like a loser when he couldn't find a job after college.
"Stop calling yourself a loser—everyone struggles sometimes," his friend said.
✦ The derogatory sense emerged in American slang in the mid-20th century, extending the basic ‘one who loses’ meaning to social failure.
to shut something so that it is no longer open
She closed the window when it started to rain.
Please close the door behind you so the heat stays in.
with great attention, care, or detail
The detective studied the fingerprints closely with a magnifying glass.
You should read the instructions closely before assembling the furniture.
past tense and past participle of lose
Our team lost the final game by one point.
She has lost twenty pounds since January.
not open to everyone; restricted or private
Membership to the club is closed to non-residents.
The meeting was closed to the public.
