How Do You Spell DEFEAT?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈiːt] (IPA)

Defeat, spelled /dɪˈfiːt/, is a common English word that represents the act of winning or overcoming a challenge. From a phonetic standpoint, the "ea" in "defeat" is pronounced as a long "e" sound, while the "t" at the end is pronounced with a stop sound, as if air is momentarily blocked in the mouth before releasing. The use of IPA phonetic transcription helps to clarify the correct pronunciation and spelling of words like defeat, ensuring clear communication in any context where this word may be used.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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DEFEAT Meaning and Definition

  1. Defeat, as a verb, refers to overcoming an opponent or achieving victory over them in a competition, conflict, or battle. It entails prevailing or dominating in order to render the adversary unsuccessful or incapable of achieving their objectives. Defeating someone involves subduing or overpowering them, either physically, mentally, or strategically, often by employing superior skills, force, or tactics.

    In a broader sense, defeat can also describe the act of conquering an obstacle, problem, or challenge. It implies successfully overcoming or resolving a difficulty, setback, or failure by attaining a desired outcome or accomplishing a goal despite the initial adversity or hindrance faced.

    As a noun, defeat signifies the condition or state of being defeated. It represents the outcome or result of losing a battle, struggle, contest, or confrontation. Furthermore, the term can also denote the feeling of disappointment, frustration, or sadness that accompanies failure or unfulfilled expectations. It emphasizes the notion of being thwarted or falling short of achieving something significant.

    Overall, defeat encompasses the triumph over an adversary or obstacle, be it in a physical confrontation, competitive activity, or personal endeavor. It encompasses both the act of overcoming and the outcome of being unsuccessful, encapsulating the struggle, challenges, and emotions involved in the process of winning or losing.

  2. • To vanquish or overcome; to frustrate; to disappoint; to resist with success; to baffle.
    • An overthrow; loss of battle; prevention of success; frustration.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEFEAT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEFEAT

Etymology of DEFEAT

The word "defeat" originated from the Latin word "deficere" which means "to undo, overthrow, or fail". In the late 14th century, the term was adopted from Old French as "defeite" or "desfaire" with similar meanings. Over time, it evolved into the Middle English word "defeaten" with the sense of "to overthrow an adversary, be vanquished". From there, it took its modern form "defeat" by the early 15th century.

Idioms with the word DEFEAT

  • snatch victory (from the jaws of defeat) "Snatch victory from the jaws of defeat" is an idiom used to describe a situation where someone or a team manages to achieve success or win a competition even when it seemed highly unlikely or impossible. It implies turning the tables at the last moment or overcoming significant obstacles to achieve victory, often after facing imminent failure or defeat.
  • go down in defeat The definition of the idiom "go down in defeat" is to suffer a loss or failure, typically in a battle, competition, or struggle. It implies that someone or something is unsuccessful and does not achieve their desired outcome.
  • admit defeat The idiom "admit defeat" means to accept or acknowledge that one has been defeated or unsuccessful in a certain situation, task, or objective. It involves recognizing and accepting one's inability to achieve or overcome something.
  • snatch defeat from the jaws of victory The idiom "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" means to fail or lose at the last moment or when success seems imminent due to a mistake, poor judgment, or an unexpected turn of events. It implies a situation where someone or something is on the verge of winning or achieving a goal, but due to their own actions or circumstances, they end up experiencing defeat or failure instead.
  • the jaws of death, defeat, etc. The phrase "the jaws of death, defeat, etc." refers to a situation or circumstance of imminent danger, defeat, or failure. It conveys the idea of being on the brink of a negative and potentially irreversible outcome.

Similar spelling words for DEFEAT

Plural form of DEFEAT is DEFEATS

Conjugate verb Defeat

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have defeated
you would have defeated
he/she/it would have defeated
we would have defeated
they would have defeated
I would have defeat
you would have defeat
he/she/it would have defeat
we would have defeat
they would have defeat

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been defeating
you would have been defeating
he/she/it would have been defeating
we would have been defeating
they would have been defeating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would defeat
you would defeat
he/she/it would defeat
we would defeat
they would defeat

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be defeating
you would be defeating
he/she/it would be defeating
we would be defeating
they would be defeating

FUTURE

I will defeat
you will defeat
he/she/it will defeat
we will defeat
they will defeat

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be defeating
you will be defeating
he/she/it will be defeating
we will be defeating
they will be defeating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have defeated
you will have defeated
he/she/it will have defeated
we will have defeated
they will have defeated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been defeating
you will have been defeating
he/she/it will have been defeating
we will have been defeating
they will have been defeating

IMPERATIVE

you defeat
we let´s defeat

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to defeat

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was defeating
you were defeating
he/she/it was defeating
we were defeating
they were defeating

PAST PARTICIPLE

defeated

PAST PERFECT

I had defeated
you had defeated
he/she/it had defeated
we had defeated
they had defeated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been defeating
you had been defeating
he/she/it had been defeating
we had been defeating
they had been defeating

PRESENT

I defeat
you defeat
he/she/it defeats
we defeat
they defeat

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am defeating
you are defeating
he/she/it is defeating
we are defeating
they are defeating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

defeating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have defeated
you have defeated
he/she/it has defeated
we have defeated
they have defeated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been defeating
you have been defeating
he/she/it has been defeating
we have been defeating
they have been defeating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it defeat

SIMPLE PAST

I defeated
you defeated
he/she/it defeated
we defeated
they defeated

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Correct spelling for defeat
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