loss
/lɒs
/noun [mass noun]
1The fact or process of losing something or someone: avoiding loss of time [count noun]: funding cuts will lead to job losses...
- The reason for the possible job losses is possible barrack closures at the Garrison.
- They have admitted the financial crisis could mean more job losses and ward closures.
- His own school is facing job losses as it is in the process of moving from two forms of entry to one.
Synonyms
mislaying, misplacement, dropping, forgetting, overlooking
deprivation, disappearance, losing, privation, forfeiture, waste, squandering, dissipation;
diminution, erosion, reduction, impoverishment, depletion
1.1An amount of money lost by a business or organization: insurance can protect you against financial loss [count noun]: we have incurred huge losses [in combination]: loss-making industries
1.2The feeling of grief after losing someone or something of value: I feel a terrible sense of loss...
- We are all subject to the pain of loss, grief, sadness and even plain disappointment.
- The large crowds at the funeral ceremonies reflected the sense of loss and grief felt throughout the neighbourhood.
- You should be careful of people's deeply felt grief and sense of loss before you dismiss them as selfish cynics.
1.3 [in singular] A person who or thing that is badly missed when lost: he will be a great loss to many people...
- He is a huge loss for the community and will be greatly missed by his cousins, friends and neighbours.
- He will be a great loss and will be sadly missed by everybody at the club.
- He is a great loss to the Trien community and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Phrases
at a loss
Origin
Old English los 'destruction', of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse los 'breaking up of the ranks of an army' and loose; later probably a back-formation from lost, past participle of lose.