defeat
A defeat happens when you lose a game or a competition against someone else.
Explanation at your level:
A defeat is when you lose a game. If you play soccer and the other team scores more goals, you have a defeat. It is the opposite of winning. Everyone has a defeat sometimes. It is okay to lose!
When you play a game or a match, you want to win. If you do not win, you have a defeat. It can be sad, but it is part of playing. You can say, 'Our team had a big defeat yesterday.' It means the other team played better.
A defeat is a noun that describes the result of losing a competition. We often use it in sports or politics. For example, 'The team accepted their defeat after the match.' It is a formal way to say that someone lost. You can also talk about a 'narrow defeat' if the game was very close.
In English, defeat is a versatile noun. We use it to describe a loss in a contest, battle, or even an argument. It carries a slightly more serious tone than 'loss.' Native speakers often use collocations like 'suffering a defeat' or 'avoiding defeat.' It is useful for describing situations where the outcome was not in your favor.
The noun defeat is frequently employed in analytical or journalistic contexts to describe structural failures or the end of a campaign. It implies a sense of finality and often suggests that the subject was overwhelmed by external forces. When you describe a 'crushing defeat,' you emphasize the scale of the failure. It is a precise term that elevates your writing beyond simple words like 'loss' or 'failure.'
Etymologically, defeat signifies an 'undoing,' a nuance that remains potent in literary and historical narratives. It describes not just the loss of a game, but the collapse of a strategy or a system. In high-level discourse, one might discuss 'the sting of defeat' or 'the inevitability of defeat' to evoke a sense of tragedy or inevitability. Its usage spans from the tactical level of military history to the metaphorical level of personal struggle, making it a cornerstone of sophisticated English.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Defeat means losing a competition.
- It is the opposite of victory.
- It is a common noun in sports and politics.
- It can also be used as a verb.
Think of defeat as the moment a competition ends and you realize you aren't the winner. It is a very common word used in everything from sports to politics. When you experience a defeat, it means your opponent performed better or had a stronger strategy than you did.
It is important to remember that defeat isn't always a bad thing; it is often a learning opportunity. Whether it is a small loss in a board game or a major setback in a professional career, the word carries a weight of finality. You can suffer a defeat or admit defeat, depending on how you feel about the situation.
The word defeat has a fascinating history. It comes from the Old French word desfait, which meant 'undone' or 'destroyed.' This itself comes from the Latin disfacere, where dis- means 'apart' and facere means 'to do' or 'to make.'
Basically, to be defeated is to be 'undone.' Over the centuries, the meaning shifted from a general sense of destruction to the specific context of losing a battle or contest. It entered the English language in the 14th century and has remained a staple for describing the end of a conflict ever since.
In English, we often use defeat with specific verbs. You will frequently hear people say they suffered a defeat or faced a defeat. It sounds more formal than saying 'we lost,' making it perfect for news reports or serious discussions.
You can also talk about a crushing defeat, which describes a loss that was very large or embarrassing. On the other hand, a narrow defeat describes a situation where you almost won but lost by just a tiny margin. Using these adjectives helps paint a clearer picture of the intensity of the loss.
Here are some ways we use the concept of defeat in everyday speech:
- Snatch defeat from the jaws of victory: To lose a game you were clearly winning.
- Admit defeat: To accept that you cannot win and stop trying.
- A bitter pill to swallow: Often used to describe a hard-to-accept defeat.
- Go down in defeat: To be beaten in a public or dramatic way.
- Accept defeat gracefully: To lose without being angry or making excuses.
As a noun, defeat is usually countable. You can have a defeat or many defeats. The pronunciation is /dɪˈfiːt/ in both British and American English, with the stress on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like repeat, treat, and meet.
Remember that defeat is also a verb. You can defeat an opponent, but you can also experience a defeat. Be careful not to confuse the noun usage with the verb usage when writing formal essays!
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'defection'.
Pronunciation Guide
dee-FEET
dee-FEET
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'defect'
- Stressing the first syllable
- Dropping the final 't' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Articles
A defeat
Noun usage
The defeat was hard
Past tense
They suffered
Examples by Level
The team had a defeat.
team / had / a / defeat
Use 'a' with singular noun
It was a defeat.
it / was / a / defeat
Simple past tense
No defeat today.
no / defeat / today
Determiner usage
They felt the defeat.
they / felt / the / defeat
Past tense verb
A defeat is hard.
a / defeat / is / hard
Subject-verb agreement
Avoid a defeat.
avoid / a / defeat
Imperative verb
The defeat was sad.
the / defeat / was / sad
Adjective usage
We saw a defeat.
we / saw / a / defeat
Transitive verb
The team suffered a defeat.
It was a painful defeat.
They avoided defeat this time.
The defeat was unexpected.
He accepted the defeat.
We learned from our defeat.
The final defeat was clear.
A defeat is not the end.
The candidate admitted defeat early.
It was a crushing defeat for the party.
They faced a narrow defeat in the final.
The team has had many defeats this season.
He couldn't handle the sting of defeat.
The defeat changed their strategy.
We managed to avoid defeat.
The defeat left them feeling discouraged.
The army suffered a humiliating defeat.
She turned her defeat into a victory.
The government faced a stunning defeat.
Despite the defeat, they played well.
The defeat was a major blow to his ego.
History is full of stories of defeat.
They were saved from total defeat.
The defeat prompted a change in leadership.
The defeat signaled the end of an era.
He analyzed the causes of the defeat.
The defeat was an inevitable consequence.
They were reeling from the unexpected defeat.
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.
She refused to acknowledge defeat.
The defeat shattered their confidence.
His career survived the defeat.
The defeat was absolute and total.
He contemplated the nuances of his defeat.
The defeat resonated throughout the region.
They faced the prospect of defeat with courage.
The defeat was a catalyst for reform.
Such a defeat was unprecedented in history.
She understood the gravity of the defeat.
The defeat was etched in their memories.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Snatch defeat from the jaws of victory"
To lose when you were winning.
They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
neutral"Admit defeat"
To stop trying.
I admit defeat, you are better at chess!
casual"Go down in defeat"
To be defeated.
The champion went down in defeat.
formal"Taste defeat"
To experience losing.
The team tasted defeat for the first time.
literary"A bitter pill to swallow"
A difficult defeat.
Losing was a bitter pill to swallow.
casual"Accept defeat gracefully"
To lose well.
He accepted defeat gracefully.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar spelling/sound
Defect is a flaw; defeat is a loss.
The product had a defect.
Similar beginning
Default is a setting; defeat is a loss.
It went to default settings.
Similar sound
Deceit is lying; defeat is losing.
He used deceit to win.
Same root
Defeatist is a person; defeat is the act.
Don't be a defeatist.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + suffered + a + defeat
They suffered a defeat.
Subject + admitted + defeat
He finally admitted defeat.
The + defeat + was + adjective
The defeat was crushing.
Subject + faced + a + defeat
They faced a defeat in court.
It + was + a + defeat
It was a total defeat.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Defeat is both, but don't mix them.
They sound similar but mean different things.
Use 'the' for specific events.
Defeat implies a competition.
Defeat is just one event.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a scoreboard saying 'DEFEAT' in big letters.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it to sound more professional in sports talk.
Cultural Insight
Western culture values 'grace in defeat'.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Say It Right
Make sure the 'ee' sound is long.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with 'defect'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the word 'undoing'.
Study Smart
Learn it with its antonym, victory.
Better Writing
Use 'crushing' to make it stronger.
Sound Natural
Use it in a serious, low tone.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
De-feat: You lose your feet (balance) when you lose.
Visual Association
A person falling down after a race.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a sentence about a time you lost a game.
Word Origin
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: To undo or destroy
Cultural Context
Can be a sensitive topic in sports-obsessed cultures.
Used heavily in sports reporting.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Sports
- suffered a defeat
- narrow defeat
- avoided defeat
Politics
- election defeat
- faced defeat
- admitted defeat
Military
- total defeat
- crushing defeat
- avoided defeat
Business
- market defeat
- project defeat
- business defeat
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever suffered a defeat in a game?"
"How do you handle defeat?"
"Is it hard to admit defeat?"
"What was the biggest defeat for your favorite team?"
"Do you think defeat is a good teacher?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you experienced a defeat.
How did you feel after a recent defeat?
Why is it important to accept defeat?
Describe a defeat that changed your perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it applies to any competition or conflict.
Yes, a 'business defeat' is common.
It can be, but it is also a neutral term for a result.
It is also 'defeat'.
dee-FEET.
Yes, you can have multiple defeats.
Yes, but it is more formal.
Yes, but 'crushing defeat' is better.
Test Yourself
The team had a ___.
Defeat is the noun for losing.
Which means to lose?
Defeat is the result of losing.
Defeat is the same as victory.
They are opposites.
Word
Meaning
Synonym matching.
Subject-verb-adjective order.
They ___ a crushing defeat.
Collocation: suffer a defeat.
Defeat can be used as a verb.
Yes, 'I will defeat him'.
What is a 'narrow defeat'?
Narrow means close.
Modal verb structure.
The ___ of the empire was inevitable.
Contextual fit.
Score: /10
Summary
Defeat is not the end; it is a part of the journey toward success.
- Defeat means losing a competition.
- It is the opposite of victory.
- It is a common noun in sports and politics.
- It can also be used as a verb.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a scoreboard saying 'DEFEAT' in big letters.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it to sound more professional in sports talk.
Cultural Insight
Western culture values 'grace in defeat'.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Example
The team was very sad after their first defeat of the season.
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Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
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