defeat meaning
defeat :
loss, failure
noun
▪ The team faced a defeat in the final match.
▪ The team had a loss in the final match.
▪ His defeat was unexpected.
▪ His failure was surprising.
paraphrasing
▪ loss – defeat
▪ failure – defeat
defeat :
to win against, to beat
verb
▪ They defeated the other team easily.
▪ They won against the other team easily.
▪ She defeated her opponent in the race.
▪ She won against her opponent in the race.
paraphrasing
▪ beat – to win against
▪ conquer – to win completely
▪ overcome – to win over difficulties
▪ vanquish – to defeat completely
Pronunciation
defeat [dɪˈfiːt]
The stress is on 'feat' and sounds like 'di-feet'.
Common phrases and grammar about defeat
defeat - Common meaning
noun
loss, failure
verb
to win against, to beat
Part of Speech Changes for "defeat"
▪ defeated (adjective) – beaten or overcome
▪ defeater (noun) – one who defeats
Common Expressions with "defeat"
▪ suffer a defeat – to experience a loss
▪ defeat an enemy – to win against an opponent
▪ defeat easily – to win without difficulty
▪ defeat a purpose – to make something useless
Important examples of defeat in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC vocabulary questions, defeat often means to win against a competitor.
Example of a confusing word: defend (to protect)
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC grammar questions, defeat is used as a verb, often followed by an object like a team or opponent.
defeat
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
suffer defeat
means 'to lose', used when talking about losing a game or battle.
snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
means 'to win at the last moment'.
Differences between similar words and defeat
defeat
,
conquer
differences
Defeat means to win against someone in a specific event, while conquer implies complete control or overcoming.
defeat
,
beat
differences
Defeat is often used in formal contexts, while beat is more informal and commonly used in everyday language.
Words with the same origin as defeat
The origin of defeat
defeat comes from the Latin 'deficere', which meant to undo or destroy, evolving into the idea of overcoming.
Word structure
It has the prefix de (down), root feat (do, make), and means 'to undo or overcome'.
Words with the same origin
The root of defeat is feat (do, make). Words with the same root include feature (a characteristic).
