Loss: meaning, definitions and examples

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loss

[lɒs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

financial

The fact or process of losing something.

Synonyms

decrease, deficit, reduction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
loss	Used when talking about the act of losing something or someone, often in an emotional or financial sense. The company reported a loss for the third quarter She felt a deep sense of loss after her dog passed away
deficit	Used primarily in financial and economic contexts to indicate a shortfall or gap, often when expenses exceed income or assets. The government is struggling to balance the budget deficit The company faced a significant deficit after an unexpected expense
decrease	Refers to a reduction in size, amount, number, or value. There has been a decrease in the number of job applications this month The temperature showed a significant decrease overnight
reduction	Implied when something is made smaller or less in terms of amount, size, or importance, often used in a general context. The reduction in staff has led to longer wait times for customers They saw a reduction in pollution levels due to new regulations

Examples of usage

His business suffered a great loss due to the pandemic.
She experienced a great loss when her father passed away.
The company reported a loss of revenue in the last quarter.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

emotional

The feeling of grief after losing someone or something.

Synonyms

bereavement, grief, sorrow.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
loss	A general term used to describe the feeling when something or someone valuable is gone. It's often used in both personal and material contexts. She felt a deep sense of loss after her dog passed away. The company's financial loss last quarter was significant.
grief	Describes the intense emotional suffering that follows any significant loss, particularly a death. It is the emotional and physical reaction to bereavement. He was overcome with grief after his best friend's death. Books on grief can provide comfort and understanding.
sorrow	A deep feeling of sadness or regret, often associated with loss or disappointment. It can be used in various contexts, both serious and everyday. She expressed her sorrow over the end of their relationship. There was a moment of silent sorrow at the memorial service.
bereavement	Refers specifically to the period of mourning and emotional suffering after the death of a loved one. It's often associated with the grieving process. She needed time off work to cope with her bereavement. Counseling services are available to those experiencing bereavement.

Examples of usage

She was overwhelmed with a sense of loss after her pet died.
He couldn't shake off the feeling of loss after his team lost the championship.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

weight

The amount by which a quantity is less than expected or required.

Synonyms

depletion, reduction, shortfall.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
loss	Generally used to describe a situation where something has been taken away or is no longer present, often emotional or financial. The company is facing a significant financial loss this quarter She felt a deep sense of loss after her pet passed away
shortfall	Describes a situation where there is not enough of something needed or expected, often numerical, financial, or supply-related. There is a shortfall in this month's budget The government is addressing the shortfall in housing supply
depletion	Used when something is used up or consumed, especially resources or stock. The depletion of natural resources is a growing concern The long journey resulted in the depletion of their food supplies
reduction	Refers to making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size, often in a more measured or controlled manner. The company announced a reduction in staff numbers due to budget cuts There was a reduction in crime rates after the new policies were implemented

Examples of usage

The loss in weight of the package was due to items missing from the shipment.
There was a loss in volume of the liquid after the container leaked.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Loss can lead to feelings of sadness and grief, which are natural responses to missing someone or something important.
People often go through stages of grief, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance after experiencing a loss.
Experiencing loss can trigger profound changes in a person's behavior and outlook on life.

History

Throughout history, many communities have had rituals and ceremonies to help cope with the loss of loved ones, which express collective mourning.
The concept of loss has been a central theme in literature and art, prompting famous works, such as Shakespeare's tragedies, to explore human grief.
In ancient cultures, losing a leader or influential figure often led to societal upheaval, showing how loss influences communities on a larger scale.

Science

In biology, loss can refer to the extinction of species, which affects ecosystems and biodiversity.
Studies show that emotional loss can manifest physically, increasing stress-related symptoms in the body.
Famous experiments have demonstrated how loss of a loved one leads to measurable changes in brain activity, particularly in areas related to emotions.

Art

Artistic expressions often depict loss through symbolism, using colors like black to represent mourning or blue to signify sadness.
Music is a powerful medium for expressing loss; songs about love lost resonate deeply with many listeners across cultures.
Famous paintings, like Edvard Munch's 'The Scream', capture the essence of emotional turmoil associated with loss, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

Pop Culture

Many films and TV shows explore themes of loss, such as the story of 'The Lion King,' where Simba deals with the loss of his father.
In video games, the concept of loss is often a driving force in character development, as seen in popular titles like 'The Last of Us'.
Songs about loss frequently top the charts, as artists tap into universal feelings of heartbreak and longing that resonate with listeners.

Translations

Translations of the word "loss" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perda

perda financeira
perda de peso

🇮🇳 हानि

नुकसान
हानि

🇩🇪 Verlust

Verlustangst
Verlustrechnung

🇮🇩 kerugian

kehilangan
kerugian finansial

🇺🇦 втрата

збиток
втрати

🇵🇱 strata

utrata
straty

🇯🇵 損失 (そんしつ)

喪失 (そうしつ)
失うこと (うしなうこと)

🇫🇷 perte

perte financière
perte de poids

🇪🇸 pérdida

pérdida financiera
pérdida de peso

🇹🇷 kayıp

zarar
kayıp finansal

🇰🇷 손실 (손실)

잃음 (잃음)
손해 (손해)

🇸🇦 خسارة

فقدان
خسائر

🇨🇿 ztráta

ztráta finanční
ztráta hmotnosti

🇸🇰 strata

strata finančná
strata hmotnosti

🇨🇳 损失 (sǔnshī)

失去 (shīqù)
财务损失 (cáiwù sǔnshī)

🇸🇮 izguba

finančna izguba
izguba teže

🇮🇸 tapa

fjárhagsleg tapa
þyngdartap

🇰🇿 жоғалту

шығын
қаржылық жоғалту

🇬🇪 კარგი (k'argi)

დანაკარგი (danak'argi)
ფინანსური დანაკარგი (finans'uri danak'argi)

🇦🇿 itki

ziyan
mali itki

🇲🇽 pérdida

pérdida financiera
pérdida de peso

Word Frequency Rank

With position #497, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.

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494 looked
495 capital
496 quality
497 loss
498 values
499 space
500 character
...