What is loss? Pronunciation and usage in English

loss means . Learn how to pronounce and use loss through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of loss

lossnoun

/lɒs/
Definition & pronunciation of loss

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "loss" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and both are correct!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /lɒs/
  • How it sounds: It’s a short, quick "ah" sound, followed by an "s" sound. Think of the word "law" but with a shorter "a."
    • "ah" as in "father" (but shorter)
    • "s" as in "sun"

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • IPA: /lɒs/ (Same as the American pronunciation)
  • How it sounds: Almost identical to the American pronunciation. You might hear a very slight difference in the vowel sound, leaning a little more towards "o."

Here's a breakdown to help you:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("LOSS").
  • Vowel sound: The vowel sound is a short, open "ah" sound.

Resources to hear it:

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  • Where are you from? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia) Knowing your origin helps me determine which pronunciation is most common for you.

Usage and examples with the word loss in English

Let's break down how to use the word "loss" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and ways to apply it. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. General Loss – Absence or Disappearance

  • Definition: The state of something no longer being present or available.
  • Usage: This is the most common understanding of "loss."
  • Examples:
    • "I felt a great loss when my grandfather died." (emotional loss)
    • "The company suffered a significant loss of market share." (commercial loss)
    • "There was a loss of power during the storm." (physical loss)
    • "He experienced the loss of his home in the fire."

2. Loss as a Noun – Something Lost

  • Definition: The actual thing that was lost.
  • Examples:
    • "The loss of sleep is affecting his concentration." (the sleep itself)
    • "The loss of data was a major setback for the project." (the data)
    • "Plankton are a major loss to the ocean ecosystem." (the plankton)

3. Loss as a Verb – To Lose

  • Definition: To fail to keep or retain something. To misplace.
  • Usage: Describes the action of losing something.
  • Examples:
    • "I lost my keys." (past tense)
    • "She lost the game." (past tense)
    • "We lose track of time when we're having fun." (present tense)
    • "Don't lose hope!" (imperative)

4. Financial Loss

  • Definition: A decrease in money, value, or profit.
  • Examples:
    • "The business reported a substantial financial loss this quarter."
    • “The investment resulted in a significant loss.”
    • “The country suffered economic loss due to the war.”

5. Emotional/Psychological Loss

  • Definition: A feeling of grief, sorrow, or regret over something lost – can be tangible or intangible.
  • Examples:
    • "She felt a deep loss after the breakup."
    • "The loss of innocence is a common theme in many coming-of-age stories."
    • "He grieved the loss of his dreams." (even if the dream wasn't something concrete)

6. Loss in Statistics & Mathematics

  • Definition: A negative value, representing a reduction or subtraction.
  • Examples:
    • "The equation results in a loss of -5."
    • "The budget had a loss of $10,000." (Meaning it spent more than it received)

7. Figurative Loss (Loss of Control, Status, etc.)

  • Definition: The idea of something slipping away, or being diminished.
  • Examples:
    • "He felt a loss of control as the situation spiraled out of hand."
    • "The company experienced a loss of credibility after the scandal."

Key Considerations & Related Words:

  • Cause of Loss: Often, you’ll want to specify why something was lost. (e.g., “the loss of his job,” "the loss due to the storm")
  • Synonyms: Consider these alternatives depending on the context: defeat, setback, detriment, disadvantage, subtraction, reduction, bereavement (for death)
  • Phrases: "At a loss," "losing ground," “loss of life,” “loss prevention”

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What kind of context are you trying to use "loss" in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, an academic paper?)
  • Could you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word loss

Idioms of the word loss

at a loss
not knowing what to say or do
  • His comments left me at a loss for words.
  • I'm at a loss what to do next.
  • We are at a loss to understand his actions.
in a way that loses you money
  • We are now operating at a loss.
be somebody's loss
used to say that if somebody chooses not to do something, they will not obtain a benefit they could have had
  • If people can't appreciate how great this film is, it's their loss.
  • I can see you don't trust me. Well, that's your loss
cut your losses
to stop doing something that is not successful before the situation becomes even worse
  • I decided to cut my losses and move back to England.
  • He decided to cut his losses and sell the shares before they sank further.
loss of face
the state of being less respected by other people or looking stupid because of something you have done
  • Failure to pass the exams means a massive loss of face for the students and their parents.

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