Loss Meaning
Loss Definition & Usage
The state or fact of no longer having something or someone, especially due to death, disappearance, or destruction.
Examples
- "She felt a deep sense of loss after the death of her grandmother."
- "The company suffered a significant loss after the market crash."
- "He experienced the loss of his childhood home when his family moved away."
- "The community mourned the loss of the beloved teacher."
- "The fire caused the complete loss of all their belongings."
A reduction in value or amount, especially in business or finance, often resulting in a negative financial outcome.
Examples
- "The company reported a loss of $5 million in the last quarter."
- "After the expenses were calculated, they realized they were operating at a loss."
- "The stock market downturn led to a substantial loss for investors."
- "They incurred a heavy loss due to the failed investment."
- "The loss from the bankruptcy was felt across the industry."
To be deprived of something or someone.
Examples
- "She lost her keys while shopping."
- "He lost his job due to company downsizing."
- "The hikers lost their way in the dense forest."
- "They lost contact with their friends during the storm."
- "She lost her temper when the meeting went wrong."
Cultural Context
The concept of 'loss' is significant in many cultures and often tied to emotional and psychological processes. The idea of losing something of value—whether it be a loved one, money, or an opportunity—often involves stages of grief or acceptance, which are explored in literature, philosophy, and religion. In finance, loss is a central concept in risk management, often requiring strategies for mitigation.
The Weight of Loss
Story
The Weight of Loss
It was a gray autumn afternoon when Sophie first walked into the old, crumbling house. Her grandmother had passed away the previous spring, and Sophie had inherited the family home. What remained of the house, that is—broken windows, peeling wallpaper, and the faint smell of mildew and dust. She ran her fingers over the faded family portraits that lined the walls, a sense of deep loss settling in her chest. This was the home where she'd spent every summer as a child, where her grandmother had taught her to bake, to sew, to love the little things in life. Now it was empty, abandoned, a shadow of the place it once was. Sophie’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the front door creaking open. Her brother Alex had arrived. "You still here?" he asked, walking in with a tired sigh. "I thought you’d already be in the city by now." Sophie shook her head. "I’m not ready to leave yet. It’s like... losing her all over again, you know?" She looked around, her voice thick with emotion. Alex nodded. "Yeah, I get it. I feel the same way. But we’ve got to sell this place. It's too much for either of us to manage on our own." Sophie looked at him, her heart sinking. "I know. I know. But it’s still a loss. It feels like... I’m losing her all over again. And everything in this house reminds me of her." "I get it. I do. But we can't hold onto the past forever, Sophie. We’ve got to let go, or we'll lose ourselves in it too." Sophie sighed, staring at the old house one last time. "I guess you're right. But it’s just hard. Losing everything like this. Even the house feels like it’s lost its soul without her here." Alex placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Maybe, but we can’t stop living just because we've lost something. We carry the good memories with us, and we start a new chapter." Sophie smiled weakly, finally able to let go of the house and the weight of loss that had been holding her back. It was time to move forward, to face the future, knowing that some things, even though lost, would always be with her.
Related Words
