Library / English Dictionary

LOSER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A gambler who loses a bet

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("loser" is a kind of...):

gambler (a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events)

Antonym:

winner (a gambler who wins a bet)

Derivation:

lose (fail to win)

lose (fail to make money in a business; make a loss or fail to profit)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A contestant who loses the contest

Synonyms:

also-ran; loser

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("loser" is a kind of...):

contestant (a person who participates in competitions)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "loser"):

old maid (the loser in a game of old maid)

Antonym:

winner (the contestant who wins the contest)

Derivation:

lose (fail to win)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently

Synonyms:

failure; loser; nonstarter; unsuccessful person

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("loser" is a kind of...):

unfortunate; unfortunate person (a person who suffers misfortune)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "loser"):

bankrupt; insolvent (someone who has insufficient assets to cover their debts)

flash in the pan (someone who enjoys transient success but then fails)

dud; flop; washout (someone who is unsuccessful)

underdog (one at a disadvantage and expected to lose)

Antonym:

achiever (a person with a record of successes)

Derivation:

lose (fail to win)

Credits

 Context examples: 

To keep senators in the interest of the crown, it was proposed that the members should raffle for employment; every man first taking an oath, and giving security, that he would vote for the court, whether he won or not; after which, the losers had, in their turn, the liberty of raffling upon the next vacancy.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

I am very much obliged to you for telling me this, and I will see that you are not a loser by it.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Therefore, I mentioned to them,” said Mr. Omer, in a comfortable, easy-going tone, “this. I said, “Now, don't consider Em'ly nailed down in point of time, at all. Make it your own time. Her services have been more valuable than was supposed; her learning has been quicker than was supposed; Omer and Joram can run their pen through what remains; and she's free when you wish. If she likes to make any little arrangement, afterwards, in the way of doing any little thing for us at home, very well. If she don't, very well still. We're no losers, anyhow.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)