Definition, synonyms and related words
The process by which something is lost; a loss.
"The recent losing of their favorite hiking trail map left them wandering aimlessly through the dense forest."
In plain English: Losing is the state of failing to win a competition or game.
"The team was shocked by their losing in the championship match."
Usage: Do not use "losing" to refer to the state of having been defeated or the act of losing something; instead, use the uncountable noun "loss." For example, say "the loss of our savings" rather than "the losing of our savings."
present participle of lose
"She is losing her patience as the meeting drags on without any progress."
In plain English: Losing means failing to win something or having something disappear from your possession.
"I am losing weight after starting my new diet plan."
Usage: Use "losing" to describe someone or something currently in the process of failing to win, keep possession of an item, or suffer a setback. It functions as a continuous action within a sentence, such as "The team is losing by ten points."
That loses or has lost.
"The old engine is losing power, so we need to find a mechanic before it breaks down completely."
In plain English: Losing means not winning or being unsuccessful at something.
"The losing team celebrated anyway because they had fun playing together."
Usage: Losing is not used as an adjective to describe something that has been defeated; instead, use the adjective "lost" or the past participle phrase "having lost." Reserve the gerund form "losing" only for situations where you are actively in the process of losing something.
Derived from Old English lǣsan (to lose), this present participle originally described the act of being deprived of possession or failing to achieve an objective. The form evolved through Middle English as the verbal noun and adjective associated with defeat or misfortune.