Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

loss

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun British English pronunciation: loss /lɒs/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularloss
plurallosses
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] the state of no longer having something because it has been taken from you or destroyed

    It was an ancient car anyway, so it was no great loss.

    job losses

    loss of:

    the loss of the Titanic

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
    1. a.
      used about a natural ability that you do not have any longer

      He suffered hearing loss following an illness.

      loss of:

      The loss of his sight was a severe blow.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
    2. b.
      used about a feeling, quality, attitude etc that you stop having
      loss of:

      a loss of confidence

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
    3. c.
      used about a part of your body that you do not have any longer because of an accident, illness etc

      a new treatment for hair loss

      loss of:

      insurance that also covers loss of limbs or eyes

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
    4. d.
      an area that a political party no longer controls after an election

      Tory losses are mounting up in the south-west.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] the state of having less of something than before because some of it has gone

    Exercise and weight loss can help lower your blood pressure.

    loss of:

    She was offered compensation for loss of earnings.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
  3. 3
    [countable/uncountable] business money that a person, company, organization etc loses when it spends more than it earns

    company losses in excess of £25 million

    The company reported heavy losses for last year.

    make a loss:

    They made a net loss of £350 million.

    at a loss:

    The company was sold at a loss of £2 million.

    make a loss (on something):

    We made a loss on the house sale.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
  4. 4
    [countable/uncountable] the death of someone

    Many sympathies on your sad loss.

    loss of:

    Jean never recovered from the loss of her husband.

    mourn the loss of someone:

    The hospital is mourning the loss of a pioneering surgeon.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
  5. 5
    [uncountable] a feeling of sadness that you have when someone leaves or dies, or when you no longer have something
    a sense of loss:

    We all felt a tremendous sense of loss when Robin left.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
  6. 6
    [singular] a disadvantage that you have when someone leaves or when you cannot use something any longer

    the loss of 12 fully-trained doctors

    a great loss to:

    If the school closes, it will be a great loss to the community.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss
  7. 7
    [countable] a failure to win a race, competition, fight etc
    loss to:

    Manchester United's loss to Liverpool at Anfield last week

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of loss

phrases

This is the British English definition of loss. View American English definition of loss.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for loss.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

wane

getting smaller, weaker, or less important

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog