Meaning & use

loss

noun·Everyday

The state of no longer having something, or the amount by which something is reduced or destroyed.

See it in a sentence

The company reported a loss of nearly two million dollars in the last quarter.

The loss of her closest friend left a gap that took years to fill.

A note on using this word

In business contexts loss pairs naturally with 'profit and loss'; in personal contexts it often refers to bereavement rather than money.

Words with a similar meaning

deprivationdeficit

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

gainprofit

Make it your own

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