Lose Definition & Meaning

lose
verb
  1. fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense; "She lost her purse when she left it unattended on her seat"
  2. fail to win; "We lost the battle but we won the war"
  3. suffer the loss of a person through death or removal; "She lost her husband in the war"; "The couple that wanted to adopt the child lost her when the biological parents claimed her"
  4. place (something) where one cannot find it again; "I misplaced my eyeglasses"
  5. miss from one's possessions; lose sight of; "I've lost my glasses again!"
  6. allow to go out of sight; "The detective lost the man he was shadowing after he had to stop at a red light"
  7. fail to make money in a business; make a loss or fail to profit; "I lost thousands of dollars on that bad investment!"; "The company turned a loss after the first year"
  8. fail to get or obtain; "I lost the opportunity to spend a year abroad"
  9. retreat
  10. fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind; "I missed that remark"; "She missed his point"; "We lost part of what he said"
  11. be set at a disadvantage; "This author really suffers in translation"

"Lose" in song lyrics

See how lose is used in real songs:

  • "Because in this game, you lag, you lose"
    2 Live Crew — Boys With Da Bass
  • "In this game the rules is you lose"
    415 — Court in the Street
  • "We're gettin money, we've got no time to lose"
    415 f/ Brotha Broski, Icee B — Ruthless is Reality

Usage tips for "lose"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "lose" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for lose to find words that pair well.

Use "lose" in a verse

Now that you know what "lose" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

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