lost

The word “lost” means unable to find your way or unsure of your location. In plain terms, unable to be found, no longer possessed, or completely absorbed in something.

“Lost” is pronounced lost (/lɔst/ in IPA).

Here is “lost” used in a sentence: “We got completely lost on the way back from the trailhead.”

“Lost” is an adjective.

The word “lost” comes from Old English. The past participle of "lose", from Old English losod.

“Lost” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Lost” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable to find your way or unsure of your location.

"Lost" usually describes not knowing where you are or your way, often from the point of view of the one gone astray. "Missing" describes something others cannot find, whose whereabouts are unknown. A lost child does not know the way home; a missing child cannot be located by those searching for them.

Yes. Beyond physical direction, "lost" describes feeling confused, purposeless, or overwhelmed — "lost in life" or "lost for words." It can also mean deeply absorbed, as in "lost in thought." Each sense extends the core idea of not knowing your way, whether on a map or in life.

"Lost" means you do not know where you are or which way to go. "Stuck" means you cannot move forward from where you are, even if you know the spot. You can be lost but still moving, or stuck but sure of your location. One is about direction; the other is about progress.

When it means not knowing your way, the opposite is being "found" or "oriented" — knowing exactly where you are. For objects, "found" or "recovered" fit. For the emotional sense of feeling lost, opposites include "grounded," "settled," or "sure of yourself." The common thread is knowing your position or direction again.