The difference between Lose and Mislay

When used as verbs, lose means to cause (something) to cease to be in one's possession or capability due to unfortunate or unknown circumstances, events or reasons, whereas mislay means to leave or lay something in the wrong place and then forget where one put it.


Lose is also noun with the meaning: fame, renown.

check bellow for the other definitions of Lose and Mislay

  1. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To cause (something) to cease to be in one's possession or capability due to unfortunate or unknown circumstances, events or reasons.

    Examples:

    "If you lose that ten-pound note, you'll be sorry."

    "He lost his hearing in the explosion."

    "She lost her position when the company was taken over."

  2. Lose as a verb:

    To wander from; to miss, so as not to be able to find; to go astray from.

    Examples:

    "I lost my way in the forest."

  3. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To have (an organ) removed from one's body, especially by accident.

    Examples:

    "Johnny lost a tooth, but kept it for the tooth fairy."

    "He lost his spleen in a car wreck."

  4. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To fail to win (a game, competition, trial, etc).

    Examples:

    "We lost the football match."

  5. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To shed (weight).

    Examples:

    "I’ve lost five pounds this week."

  6. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To be unable to follow or trace (somebody or something) any longer.

    Examples:

    "The policeman lost the robber he was chasing."

    "Mission control lost the satellite as its signal died down."

  7. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To cause (somebody) to be unable to follow or trace one any longer.

    Examples:

    "We managed to lose our pursuers in the forest."

  8. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To experience the death of (someone to whom one has an attachment, such as a relative or friend).

    Examples:

    "She lost all her sons in the war."

  9. Lose as a verb (transitive):

    To cease exhibiting; to overcome (a behavior or emotion).

  10. Lose as a verb (transitive, informal):

    To shed, remove, discard, or eliminate.

    Examples:

    "When we get into the building, please lose the hat."

  11. Lose as a verb:

    Of a clock, to run slower than expected.

    Examples:

    "My watch loses five minutes a week."

    "It's already 5:30? My watch must have lost a few minutes."

  12. Lose as a verb:

    To cause (someone) the loss of something; to deprive of.

  13. Lose as a verb:

    To fail to catch with the mind or senses; to miss.

    Examples:

    "I lost a part of what he said."

  14. Lose as a verb (transitive, archaic):

    To cause to part with; to deprive of.

  1. Lose as a noun (obsolete):

    Fame, renown; praise.

  1. Mislay as a verb:

    To leave or lay something in the wrong place and then forget where one put it.