The meaning of LOSE is to miss from one's possession or from a customary or supposed place. How to use lose in a sentence.

lose verb (NO LONGER POSSESS) [ T ] to no longer have something, because it has been taken away from you, either by accident or purposely:

2. to fail to keep or maintain: to lose one's balance. 3. to suffer the loss or deprivation of: to lose a parent.

If you lose something, you do not know where it is, for example, because you have forgotten where you put it. I lost my keys.

Definition of lose verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

The verb to lose means something has gone missing. Maybe it's your car keys. Maybe it's points in a game. Maybe it's the love of your life. Sorry about that. You can physically lose something by …

lose (lo̅o̅z), v., lost, los•ing. v.t. to come to be without (something in one's possession or care), through accident, theft, etc., so that there is little or no prospect of recovery: I'm sure I've merely misplaced …

Lose definition: To be unsuccessful in retaining possession of; mislay.

Feb 10, 2026 · (transitive) To be unable to follow or trace (somebody or something) any longer.

There are 48 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb lose, 12 of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.