lose

The word "lose" is simple, but it covers many kinds of experience. At its core, to lose means to no longer have something, to fail to keep it, or to be defeated. It often describes an unwanted change: something was with you, under your control, or possible before, and now it is not.

You can lose physical things like your wallet, your phone, or a document. You can also lose things that are less concrete. A team can lose a game. A person can lose an argument, lose a job, lose money, or lose a chance. You can lose your way, lose your balance, lose your patience, or lose track of time. In each case, something is missing, reduced, or no longer under control.

The word can also be used for deep personal experiences. Someone may lose a friend, a family member, or a sense of hope. In these cases, the meaning is emotional as well as literal, and the word carries real sadness.

It is also common in gradual or changing situations. You might lose interest in a hobby, lose strength during an illness, or lose touch with an old friend over time. The past tense and past participle is "lost": you lose something today, and later it is lost.

Depending on the context, the opposite may be find, keep, or win. Because of that, "lose" is a very flexible word in English. Whether you are talking about objects, games, money, direction, relationships, or confidence, it describes the moment when something slips away, cannot be kept, or does not end in your favor.