Loss
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /lÉ’s/,
- US IPA: /lɔs/, /lɑs/
- Rhymes: -É’s
Alternative forms
- loß obsolete
Origin
Old English has los "loss, destruction," from a Proto-Germanic root *lausam- (see lose), but the modern word probably evolved in the 14th century from lost, the original past participle of lose, itself from Old English losian "be lost, perish," from los "destruction, loss", from a Proto-Germanic root *lausa (compare O.N. los "the breaking up of an army"), from Proto-Indo-Eeuopean base *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart, untie, separate"
Full definition of loss
Noun
loss
(plural losses)- an instance of losing, such as a defeatThe match ended in their first loss of the season.
- something that is lostIt was written off as a loss.
- the hurtful condition of having lost something or someoneWe mourn his loss.
- (in the plural) casualties, especially physically eliminated victims of violent conflictThe battle was won, but losses were great.
- (financial) the sum an entity loses on balance''The sum of expenditures and taxes minus total income is a loss, when this difference is positive.
- destruction, ruin''It was a terrible crash: both cars were total losses
- (engineering) electricity of kinetic power expended without doing useful work''The inefficiency of many old-fashioned power plants exceeds 60% loss before the subsequent losses during transport over the grid
Usage notes
We often use make or take a loss. See