loser

American  

[loo-zer] / ˈlu zər /

noun

1. a person, team, nation, etc., that loses.

   The visiting team was the loser in the series.

2. Informal.

   1. a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor or, especially, a felony.

      a two-time loser.

   2. a person who has failed at a particular activity.

      a loser at marriage.

   3. someone or something that is marked by consistently or thoroughly bad quality, performance, etc. (winner ).

      Don't bother to see that film, it's a real loser.

3. Slang.  a misfit, especially someone who has never or seldom been successful at a job, personal relationship, etc.

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loser British  

/ ˈluːzə /

noun

1. a person or thing that loses

2. a person or thing that seems destined to be taken advantage of, fail, etc

   a born loser

3. bridge a card that will not take a trick

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loser Idioms  

1. see under finders, keepers.

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Other Word Forms

• nonloser noun

Etymology

Origin of loser

1300–50; Middle English losere destroyer; lose, -er ¹

Example Sentences

If unchecked, this could be the start of an anti-competitive arms race, in which the U.S. economy is the loser.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among the biggest losers are some former AI darlings that have lost their shine.

From MarketWatch

The annoucement has raised questions over the winners and losers of such a policy.

From BBC

Of course, the market has already spotted its designated tech losers—software stocks.

From Barron's

Of course, the market has already spotted its designated tech losers—software stocks.

From Barron's

Related Words

• also-ran
• underdog