Definition of lose

• v. t. - To part with unintentionally or unwillingly, as by accident, misfortune, negligence, penalty, forfeit, etc.; to be deprived of; as, to lose money from one's purse or pocket, or in business or gaming; to lose an arm or a leg by amputation; to lose men in battle.
• v. t. - To cease to have; to possess no longer; to suffer diminution of; as, to lose one's relish for anything; to lose one's health.
• v. t. - Not to employ; to employ ineffectually; to throw away; to waste; to squander; as, to lose a day; to lose the benefits of instruction.
• v. t. - To wander from; to miss, so as not to be able to and; to go astray from; as, to lose one's way.
• v. t. - To ruin; to destroy; as destroy; as, the ship was lost on the ledge.
• v. t. - To be deprived of the view of; to cease to see or know the whereabouts of; as, he lost his companion in the crowd.
• v. t. - To fail to obtain or enjoy; to fail to gain or win; hence, to fail to catch with the mind or senses; to miss; as, I lost a part of what he said.
• v. t. - To cause to part with; to deprive of.
• v. t. - To prevent from gaining or obtaining.
• v. i. - To suffer loss, disadvantage, or defeat; to be worse off, esp. as the result of any kind of contest.