Legal Dictionary

lose

Definition of lose

Etymology

losian

Pronunciation

Verb

to lose (third-person singular simple present loses, present participle losing, simple past and past participle lost)

(transitive) To cause (something) to cease to be in one's possession or capability due to unfortunate or unknown circumstances, events or reasons.

I lost the ten pound note. I must have dropped it.
He lost his hearing in the explosion.
She lost her position when the company was taken over.
(transitive) To fail to win (a game, competition, trial, etc). Often followed by out

We lost the match.
We lost out to Sweden in the final.
(transitive) To shed (weight); to reduce.

I've lost five pounds this week.
(transitive) To have (a relative or friend) die.

She lost all her sons in the war.
(transitive) To be unable to follow or trace (somebody or something) any longer.

The policeman lost the robber he was chasing.
Mission control lost the satellite as its signal died down.
(transitive) (informal) To shed, remove, discard, or eliminate.

When we get into the building, please lose the hat.
(intransitive) To fail to be the winner.

Did you win this time? - No, I lost again.
Of a clock, to run slower than expected.

My watch loses five minutes a week.

Usage notes

Synonyms

Antonyms

(cause to cease to be in one's possession): come across, discover, find, gain, acquire, procure, get, pick up, snag
(shed (weight)): gain, put on
(be unable to follow or trace (somebody or something) any longer): find
(shed, remove, discard, eliminate): pick up
(fail to be the winner): come first, win

Anagrams

References:

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Verb

cause (something) to cease to be in one's possession or capability

(transitive) fail to win