# loss

/ˈɫɔs/ (US) · /lˈɒs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/loss
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. no longer having something

noun · CEFR B1

the fact of no longer having something that you used to have.

For teachers: the state or instance of being deprived of or no longer possessing something.

- The loss of his keys meant he had to wait outside for hours.
- The sudden loss of his hearing in one ear forced the musician to adapt his entire approach to live performance.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 2. death

noun · CEFR B1

the death of a person or the feeling of sadness when someone dies.

For teachers: the death of a person or animal, or the resulting state of bereavement.

- The whole community felt the loss of the local doctor.
- The family struggled to cope with the tragic loss of their youngest son in the accident.

### 3. defeat

noun · CEFR B1

a failure to win a game, race, or competition.

For teachers: an instance of being defeated in a contest or competition.

- After their third loss in a row, the team changed their coach.
- Despite a valiant effort in the final minutes, the team suffered a narrow loss that ended their championship hopes.

Usage: Countable in this sense.

### 4. money

noun · CEFR B1

an amount of money that a person or company loses.

For teachers: the amount by which the cost of a business or transaction exceeds the revenue.

- The company reported a huge loss for the second year in a row.
- Investors were warned that the startup might operate at a loss for several years before becoming profitable.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'at a loss'.

### 5. wasted energy

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

energy or power that is wasted and does not do useful work.

For teachers: the dissipation of energy, such as electricity or heat, without performing useful work.

- Better insulation in the roof will reduce heat loss during the winter.
- Engineers worked to minimise energy loss in the transmission lines to improve the overall efficiency of the grid.

Usage: Often uncountable when referring to the phenomenon in general.

## Examples

- The company reported a significant financial loss this year.
- After the storm, the farmers suffered a total loss of their crops, leaving them without income for the season.
- While the immediate grief of personal loss often dominates the narrative, the long-term economic consequences of losing a primary breadwinner can be equally devastating for a family's stability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.