verb trans
to miss (something) from one's possession and or from its customary or expected place; to fail to find (something)
to suffer deprivation of (something); to cease to have (something), esp in an unforeseen or accidental manner
He lost his leg in an accident
to suffer loss through the death of
to fail to win (a contest or something competed for)
to suffer a defeat
to suffer loss through the death of or final separation from (somebody)
They had lost a son in the war
said of a pregnant woman: to have a miscarriage of (a baby)
to be defeated in (a conflict or contest)
to fail to gain (something competed for)
to fail to use (e.g. an opportunity); to let (a chance) slip by
to get rid of
to have less of (something)
The aircraft began to lose height
to free oneself from or be rid of (something)
He's dieting to lose some weight
to fail to perceive (something) with the senses or the mind
I lost part of what was said
to cause the loss of (something)
One careless statement lost her the election
to fail to keep or maintain (e.g. one's balance)
to fail to keep (somebody or something) in sight or in mind
I lost him in the crowd
informal to escape from or shake off (a pursuer)
to withdraw (oneself) from immediate reality
He lost himself in a book
(usu in passive) to cause the destruction or death of (something) or the death of (somebody)
said of a watch or clock: to run slow by (a specified amount)
to make a financial loss
to suffer a defeat
to be deprived of something of value; to fail to benefit
(often + on) to make a financial loss
said of a watch or clock: to run slow
to lose one's dignity or reputation
[from the Chinese custom of hiding the face with a fan as a sign of shame or humiliation]to become dispirited
informal to lose control of oneself
to be unable to find the correct direction to go in; to get lost
to go astray intellectually or morally
to fail to take into account
informal to lose one's sense or good judgment; to lose sight of one's aims or intentions
The project seemed to be going well, but eventually I realized I had just lost the plot
to fail to be aware of or to follow (something)