Loss vs Lost | Difference & Meaning
The word lost functions as an adjective (e.g, “a lost dog,” “I got lost on the way here”) or a form of the verb “lose” (e.g., “He’s lost his phone,” “He lost it yesterday”). The word loss functions as a noun (e.g., “a loss of control,” “weight loss”).
- Loss and lost can both refer to “having less of something” or “not having something.”
- In business, a loss is the opposite of a profit.
- A loss can refer to a valued employee leaving a company or the death of a relative or friend.
- The adjective lost can mean “missing,” “misplaced,” and “unable to find your way” as well as feeling “uncertain” or “confused.”
- The words loss and lost can sound the same when used in natural, everyday speech because the “t” sound in “lost” is sometimes not pronounced when followed by a consonant sound (as in the examples below ).
Loss in a sentence | Lost in a sentence |
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Loss of appetite can be a side effect of the treatment. | The neighbors have lost their cat. [Past participle of the verb “lose”] |
The problem was a connection loss with the server. | Connection with the server was lost temporarily. [Past participle of “lose”: passive voice] |
The company has announced over 100 job losses. | Someone has put up flyers around the neighborhood for a lost pet. [Adjective] |
But following the company’s recent success, it is expected to make a small loss this year. | I think I lost the tickets at the restaurant. [Simple past tense form of the verb “lose”] |
It will be a big loss for us when she leaves the company next month. | Don’t get lost tonight on your way home! [Adjective] |
I’ve visited her a couple of times since the loss of her husband. | I’m enjoying my new job, but I feel a bit lost sometimes because there’s still so much for me to learn. [Adjective] |
Loss or lost: Losing something
You can often express the same idea using loss as part of a compound noun that functions as a direct object (e.g., “He suffered partial hearing loss”) or lost as a form of the verb “lose” (e.g., “He partially lost his hearing,” “His hearing was partially lost”).
A common error is to use “lost” as part of these compound nouns, but this is incorrect.
- The patient suffered weight loss.
- The patient suffered weight lost.
- The patient suffered memory loss.
- The patient suffered memory lost.
- The company posted a net loss.
- The company posted a net lost.
- The patient suffered hair loss.
- The patient suffered hair lost.
- The patient suffered blood loss.
- The patient suffered blood lost.
- The patient suffered sight loss.
- The patient suffered sight lost.
- The patient suffered vision loss.
- The patient suffered vision lost.
Sorry for your loss or lost
The phrase you use to express your sympathy because a person’s relative or friend has recently died is sorry for your loss (not “sorry for your lost”).
This phrase requires a noun at the end (i.e., sorry for “something”), and the word “lost” is either an adjective (e.g., “a lost passport”) or a form of the verb “lose” (e.g., “I’ve lost my passport”).
I’m just calling to say how sorry we all are for your loss.
Lose vs loss
The word lose always functions as a verb (e.g., “Please don’t lose my keys!”), but loss always functions as a noun (e.g., “memory loss”).
- The “o” sound in lose is pronounced like the “oo” in “food” ( ), but the “o” sound in “loss” is pronounced like the “o” in “cross” and “boss” ( ).
- Lose is the infinitive form of the verb “lose” and the form used with the personal pronouns “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they” in the simple present tense (affirmative).
- If you need a noun to refer to “not having something” or “having less of something,” then the correct word is loss.
- The noun loss can also refer to the death of a relative or friend or a valued employee leaving a company.
Lose in a sentence | Loss in a sentence |
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You lose if your king is captured. | It was the chess champion’s first loss this year. |
The company was concerned that it would lose employees to rival firms. | Her retirement was a great loss to the company. |
Most people start to lose their ability to hear higher frequencies in their 30s. | Most people start to suffer very minor hearing loss in the higher frequencies in their 30s. |
It is important not to lose too much heat during the process. | It is important to prevent heat loss during the process. |
Loses vs losses
Loses is the form of the verb “lose” that you use with the personal pronouns “she,” “he,” and “it,” but losses is the plural form of the noun “loss.” These two words are pronounced differently: “loses” ( ) rhymes with “uses,” but “losses” ( ) rhymes with “boss’s.”
Loses in a sentence | Losses in a sentence |
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It will be difficult for her to find work in the area if she loses her job at the factory. | The owners of the factory have warned that the decision will result in many job losses. |
If the team loses next week, then I think they will fire the manager. | The team fired its manager on Friday after a run of five straight losses. |
Frequently asked questions about loss vs lost
- What does lost in translation mean?
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You use the phrase lost in translation to explain that a misunderstanding has occurred because something has not been accurately translated into your language, especially because it was translated too literally.
Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to explain misinterpreted messages between people who have the same first language.
Lost in translation in a sentence example Something must have gotten lost in translation. I spoke to our contact in Japan, and they don’t want the new model; they want the old one.I think that point got lost in translation when I explained it to Maria; I’ll give her a call to clarify what I meant.
On a related note, if you can’t decide if loss or lost is the correct word, remember that “loss” always functions as a noun.
Why not use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to ensure that you’re using an appropriate verb with the phrase “lost in translation”?
- What does lost cause mean?
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A lost cause is a situation, goal, or person that will not succeed or improve despite all your efforts or assistance.
Lost cause in a sentence examples We’ve tried and tried but they won’t change their decision, so it’s a lost cause now, I’m afraid.Most of his teachers gave up on him as a lost cause.
On a related note, if you can’t make up your mind if loss or lost is the word you need, remember that “loss” always functions as a noun.
You can use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find alternative ways of expressing “lost cause” in your specific context.
- What does get lost mean?
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Get lost is a rude way of telling somebody to “go away” or “stop interfering” (e.g., “Get lost! This is none of your business!”).
If you get lost, it means that you do not know where you are while trying to find a location (e.g., “Sorry we’re late; we got lost on the way here”).
On a related note, if you’re finding it difficult deciding if loss or lost is the right word, bear in mind that “loss” can only be used as a noun.
You can use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find other ways of expressing “get lost” in your specific context.