loss */*/*/

UK [lɒs] / US [lɔs] noun
Word forms "loss":
singular loss plural losses

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

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.

b) used about a feeling, quality, attitude etc that you stop having

loss of:

a loss of confidence

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

d) an area that a political party no longer controls after an election

Tory losses are mounting up in the south-west.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

7) [countable] a failure to win a race, competition, fight etc

loss to:

Manchester United's loss to Liverpool at Anfield last week

•

at a loss (to do something) — confused and not knowing what to do

I was at a loss to understand what had happened.

- at a loss for words

- it's someone's loss

- loss of face

- loss of life

See:

cut I, dead loss