defeat

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
noun the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals
verb win a victory over

From Middle English defeten, from Middle English defet (“disfigured”, past participle) and defet (“defect”, noun), see Etymology 2 below.

(See 1915 and 1916.) ***Defeat. — The best short stories of 1917, and the yearbook of the American short story, Unknown
“It's the worst defeat of all. — Main Street, Sinclair Lewis
Even now she would not own defeat. — The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle

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