Loser

Loser is a pejorative term used in English to label a person who is perceived as unsuccessful or socially inept. The word can function as a noun (He's a loser) or, less commonly, as an adjective (that’s loser behavior). In everyday speech, it is often used to stigmatize individuals who fail to meet personal or societal expectations in areas such as sports, academics, work, or relationships. Because it is emotionally charged, the term can contribute to bullying or self-stigmatization when directed at someone repeatedly or with hostility.

Etymology: The term is formed from the verb lose with the agent suffix -er, designating someone who loses. Its use spread through English-speaking cultures and has become a common insult, though its intensity and acceptability vary by context.

Social and cultural usage: Loser is commonly deployed as a shorthand moral judgment rather than a precise assessment of competence. In some cases, people may embrace the label as a form of self-deprecating humor or subcultural identity, a practice known as reclamation, though this is not universal.

In popular culture, the label appears across media as both stigma and trope, often in stories about underdogs or characters who overcome expectations. Critics note that the term reflects rigid judgments about value and success, and that alternative language such as 'underdog' or 'outcast' can convey nuance without the pejorative baggage.

See also: underdog, outsider, bullying, self-esteem.