loss
los
Loss (noun) means the state of no longer having something you once had. Example: “The loss of the old library left the village without a quiet place to read.”
noun
1
The state of no longer having something you once had.
"The loss of the old library left the village without a quiet place to read."
"After the loss of his hearing, he learned to sign."
"The loss of his phone meant he had no way to contact anyone."
2
Defeat in a game, contest, or war.
"A narrow loss in the semi-final left the players in tears."
"Our chess club suffered a heavy loss against the neighbouring school."
"It was the team's third loss of the season."
3
The grief felt after someone close to you dies.
"He never really got over the loss of his wife."
"The whole village shared in the family's loss."
"Friends gathered to support her through the loss of her father."
4
An amount of money spent or given up without a matching gain.
"The little cafe ran at a loss all winter before business picked up."
"Selling the car at that price would mean a big loss for us."
"The company reported a loss of two million dollars last quarter."
How to use loss
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe fact of no longer having, winning, or keeping something — an object, a game, money, or a loved one.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sense of loss
financial loss
suffer a loss
loss of life
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Word forms
- Plural
- losses
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The _____ of the old library left the village without a quiet place to read.
Etymology
From Old English los, meaning damage or destruction, tracing back to a Proto-Germanic root shared with the word "loose."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for loss
See all rhymes for loss →Frequently asked questions
What does “loss” mean?
The word “loss” means the state of no longer having something you once had. In plain terms, the fact of no longer having, winning, or keeping something — an object, a game, money, or a loved one.
How do you pronounce “loss”?
“Loss” is pronounced los (/lɑs/ in IPA).
How do you use “loss” in a sentence?
Here is “loss” used in a sentence: “The loss of his phone meant he had no way to contact anyone.”
What is another word for “loss”?
Words with a similar meaning to “loss” include deperdition and forlesing.
What is the opposite of “loss”?
The opposite of “loss” — its antonyms — are acquisition and win.
What part of speech is “loss”?
“Loss” is a noun.
Where does the word “loss” come from?
The word “loss” comes from Old English. From Old English los, meaning damage or destruction, tracing back to a Proto-Germanic root shared with the word "loose.".
Is “loss” a common word?
“Loss” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between loss and lost?
Loss is a noun naming the state of no longer having something, as in 'the loss of a job'. Lost is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'lose', or an adjective meaning unable to find your way. You suffer a loss after you have lost something.
What are the different types of loss?
Loss takes many forms: bereavement is the loss of a loved one, financial loss is losing money, and there is also job loss, weight loss, memory loss, and loss of confidence. The common thread is that something once possessed is now gone, whether a person, a possession, or an ability.
What is the opposite of loss?
The usual opposite is 'gain', meaning to acquire something rather than lose it. In business, profit is the opposite of loss; in sport, a win is the opposite of a defeat. The right antonym depends on what has been lost, but all describe having more rather than less.
What does 'at a loss' mean?
The phrase has two senses. Emotionally, being 'at a loss' means feeling confused or unsure what to do or say. In trade, selling 'at a loss' means selling for less than you paid, so you lose money on the deal. Context makes clear which meaning applies.
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