losing
Definition
Adjective:
- Failing to win: "losing" describes a person, team, or side that is not winning or is in a position of defeat in a competition, game, or conflict.
- Unprofitable: In a financial or business context, "losing" refers to an enterprise, investment, or venture that is resulting in a net loss of money or resources.
Noun (gerund form):
- The act of suffering defeat: "losing" refers to the experience or process of failing to achieve victory or retain something.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The losing team shook hands with the winners after the match. (The team that failed to win.)
- They invested in a losing business that eventually went bankrupt. (An unprofitable enterprise.)
Noun:
- Losing is never easy, but it teaches resilience. (The experience of defeat.)
- He could not accept the idea of losing gracefully. (The concept of failure.)
Advanced Usage
"a losing battle": a struggle that is certain to end in failure.
- Trying to change his mind was a losing battle. (An effort doomed to fail.)
"losing streak": a consecutive series of defeats or failures.
- The team is on a five-game losing streak. (They have lost five games in a row.)
Variants and Related Words
Loser (n): a person or thing that loses or is defeated.
- She is a gracious loser who congratulates the winner. (A person who fails to win.)
Loss (n): the fact or process of losing something or someone.
- The company reported a significant loss this quarter. (A financial deficit.)
Synonyms
- Defeated: having been beaten in a contest or conflict.
- Unsuccessful: not achieving the desired outcome.
- Failing: lacking success; falling short of a goal.
Related Idioms
Cut your losses: to stop an activity that is failing to prevent further loss.
- They decided to sell the stock and cut their losses. (They ended a losing venture.)
Losing your touch: to become less skilled or effective at something.
- He used to win every game, but now he is losing his touch. (His ability is declining.)