losing

Losing is the present participle of the verb lose and can function as a gerund or participle. As a noun, a loss refers to the failure to achieve a desired outcome or the act of parting with something of value. In grammar, losing expresses ongoing or prospective action, as in losing ground or losing a game. In economics or finance, losses refer to declines in value, revenue, or net income.

In competitive settings, losing is the outcome in which a participant or team does not win. Losses can result from skill gaps, strategic errors, injuries, or random variation. A team's or player's record is often summarized by wins and losses, and a losing streak denotes multiple consecutive losses. Loss is not inherently negative; it can signal information for improvement and learning.

In everyday life, one can lose objects, connections, or people. These losses vary in impact from minor misplacements to bereavement and can affect behavior and emotions. Psychological research on loss highlights concepts such as loss aversion, the tendency to prefer avoiding losses over acquiring gains of equal value. Coping with losing often involves reflection, adjustment of goals, and maintaining sportsmanship and resilience.

Losing is contrasted with winning, but both outcomes are part of competitive activity and practice. The term appears across disciplines to describe the end state of not achieving a hoped-for result and to frame subsequent responses, strategies, and learning.