n.
- the fact or process of losing something or someone.
▸the feeling of grief after losing a valued person or thing.
▸a person or thing that is badly missed when lost.
- a defeat in sport.
- the amount by which money spent in operation or production exceeds money earned.
Phrase
- at a loss
- uncertain or puzzled.
- making less money than is spent.
Etymology
OE los ‘destruction’, of Gmc origin; rel. to loose; later prob. a back-form. from lost, past part. of lose.