loser

[loo-zer]

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.

loser

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonloser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of loser¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see under finders, keepers.

Example Sentences

Former captain Steven Gerrard's recent observation that they were simply "egotistical losers" also plays into the club cliques argument that has come to the fore since many retired as players.

Read more on BBC

"We don't agree with picking winners and losers in this tariff fight," she said.

Read more on BBC

Former England captain Steven Gerrard says he sometimes "hated" being on international duty and blames a lack of success with the Three Lions on key players being "egotistical losers".

Read more on BBC

"There is a risk that you create a large cohort of losers," he said.

Read more on BBC

It’s not about being a loser, he thinks, but it is about not winning.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• also-ran 
• underdog