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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Loss Definition, Examples & Common Uses (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：the fact of being deprived (loss)

loss 🔊

/lɒs/

When something is gone and you can't get it back.

Loss of a key symbolizing deprivation and nostalgia

the fact of being deprived 🔊

➕

/ðə fækt əv biːɪŋ dɪˈpraɪvd/

Loss refers to the state or instance of no longer having something that you previously possessed, often causing sadness or regret.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Root: Old English 'los' (destruction, ruin), from Proto-Germanic *lusą. No affixes.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of losing your 'oss' (horse in old slang) – you feel a deep loss.

📖 Example

Moving to a new city was exciting, but she felt a deep loss when she couldn't find her favorite book after packing. 🔊 Moving to a new city was exciting, but she felt a deep loss when she couldn't find her favorite book after packing.

🔗 Collocations

loss of life – the situation where people die, especially in a disaster or war

loss of appetite – a reduced desire to eat

sense of loss – the feeling of sadness after losing someone or something important

🔄 Synonyms

deprivation (n.) – the state of being without something that is needed or wanted

bereavement (n.) – the state of having lost a close relative or friend through death

forfeiture (n.) – the act of losing a right, privilege, or property as a penalty

🚫 Antonyms

gain (n.) – an increase in wealth, resources, or something desired

acquisition (n.) – the act of obtaining something, especially something valuable

find (n.) – a valuable discovery or something that has been found

🌱 Derivatives

lossless (adj.) – without any loss of data or quality

loser (n.) – a person who loses or is defeated

lost (adj.) – unable to be found or no longer possessed

📖 Cultural Story

Loss comes from Old English 'los' meaning 'destruction', from Proto-Germanic *lusą. It evolved to mean 'the fact of losing something' by the 13th century, later also used in financial contexts by the 18th century.

Meaning 2：financial deficit (loss)

loss 🔊

/lɒs/

When a company spends more money than it earns, resulting in a decrease in wealth.

Financial loss shown as negative number on spreadsheet

financial deficit 🔊

➕

/faɪˈnænʃəl ˈdɛfɪsɪt/

Loss in a financial context refers to the situation where a company's expenses exceed its income, resulting in a decrease in net worth or negative profit.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The small coffee shop reported a significant financial loss this year due to rising costs and fewer customers. 🔊 The small coffee shop reported a significant financial loss this year due to rising costs and fewer customers.

🔗 Collocations

operating loss – a loss from a company's core business activities before other incomes and expenses

net loss – the total loss after all revenues, costs, and expenses are accounted for

cut one's losses – to stop investing in something that is failing to prevent further loss

🔄 Synonyms

deficit (n.) – the amount by which money spent exceeds money received

shortfall (n.) – a deficiency or lack of something expected or required

red ink (n.) – a financial loss, often shown in red on accounting statements

🚫 Antonyms

profit (n.) – the financial gain made in a business transaction

surplus (n.) – an amount of something left over when requirements are met

gain (n.) – an increase in wealth or resources

🌱 Derivatives

loss-making (adj.) – producing a financial loss

loss leader (n.) – a product sold at a loss to attract customers

loss ratio (n.) – the ratio of losses to premiums in insurance