What are the differences between the verbs 'to lose' and 'to miss'?

Answer 1

Answer

"to lose" is like when you wake up in the morning and you can't find your keys... you have lost them, and so you walk around the house trying to find them so that you aren't late...

"to miss" is like when you broke up with your significant other and you are kind of sad about it still... you miss that person, and feel that something is missing in your life. It can also be like when you are aiming at a target and you ... miss. :) You don't hit it. :)

I can see the similarity in some ways... if you lose something, then you sometimes will miss it... but not always. :)

You can only lose things you can have. Lose the keys, lose weight, lose your temper, lose objects in general, lose money.

You can miss people because they are away and you wish they were near, and you can miss experiences, such as in failing to attend an event or do something. Miss a play, miss a flight, miss the bus, miss the time.

Some may be ambiguous such as miss school. "I missed school today" could mean I didn't go to school or that because I didn't go I wish I had been there.

Answer 2

"To lose" typically refers to misplacing something or experiencing a loss, while "to miss" generally conveys a feeling of longing or sadness for someone or something that is absent. "To lose" implies a physical loss or defeat, while "to miss" conveys an emotional or sentimental attachment.