<p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>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.</li><li>to fail inadvertently to retain (something) in such a way that it cannot be immediately recovered.</li><li>to suffer the deprivation of: to lose one's job; to lose one's life.</li><li>to be bereaved of by death: to lose a sister.</li><li>to fail to keep, preserve, or maintain: to lose one's balance; to lose one's figure.</li><li>(of a clock or watch) to run slower by.</li><li>to give up; forfeit the possession of: to lose a fortune at the gaming table.</li><li>to get rid of: to lose one's fear of the dark; to lose weight.</li><li>to bring to destruction or ruin (usually used passively): Ship and crew were lost.</li><li>to allow (oneself) to become absorbed or engrossed in something and oblivious to all else.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to suffer loss: to lose on a contract.</li><li>to suffer defeat or fail to win, as in a contest, race, or game.</li><li>to depreciate in effectiveness or in some other essential quality: a classic that loses in translation.</li><li>(of a clock, watch, etc.) to run slow.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase</strong></p><ul><li>to suffer defeat or loss; fail to obtain something desired.</li></ul>