loss

/lɔs/

Reviewed on

Type

Noun

Meaning

  1. The fact or state of no longer having something or having less of it.

    • The factory introduced automation to prevent further job loss among junior staff.

    • Have you noticed any hearing loss since you started working near the generators?

  2. An amount of money that a business or person spends or fails to recover, resulting in a deficit.

    • The airline reported a huge financial loss after fuel prices doubled.

    • Why did the startup operate at a loss for three consecutive quarters?

  3. The death of a person, especially viewed as a source of grief.

    • Neighbors sent cards to express their sympathy following the sudden loss of her father.

    • The entire community mourned the loss of the beloved volunteer firefighter.

  4. A failure to win a game, contest, or match.

    • The coach remained calm despite the painful playoff loss last night.

    • How many losses did the baseball team suffer before changing pitchers?

Collocations

  • job loss
  • memory loss
  • weight loss
  • financial loss
  • operate at a loss
  • net loss
  • mourn the loss
  • suffer a loss

Synonyms

  • deficit
  • depletion
  • defeat
  • passing

Antonyms

Idioms

  • at a loss

    uncertain about what to say or do

    The teacher was at a loss when the projector stopped working.

  • cut one's losses

    stop doing something that is failing before losing more

    The company decided to cut its losses and cancel the project.