1
: not made use of, won, or claimed
a lost opportunity
2
a
: no longer possessed
a lost reputation
b
: no longer known
a lost tunnel
3
: ruined or destroyed physically or morally : desperate
a lost soul
4
a
: taken away or beyond reach or attainment : denied
regions lost to the faith
b
: insensible, hardened
lost to shame
5
a
: unable to find the way
b
: no longer visible
lost in the crowd
c
: lacking assurance or self-confidence : helpless
lost without his glasses
7
: not appreciated or understood : wasted
Their jokes were lost on me.
8
: obscured or overlooked during a process or activity
lost in translation
9
: hopelessly unattainable : futile
a lost cause
Synonyms
Examples of lost in a Sentence
Adjective
He was looking for his lost keys.
Many have tried to find the ruins of the lost city.
We took a wrong turn and got lost.
Hold my hand. I don't want you to get lost.
He has been trying to recapture his lost youth.
The original music is lost to us forever.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
Both of the aforementioned sieges at Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith reached a point where all seemed lost, until the cavalry arrived at the last moment to rescue the good guys.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 26 Sep. 2024
An increase in seller’s fees, which will be capped at 10 percent on all lots up to $500,000, will compensate for the lost revenue.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2024
However, Gabriel needs a redemption arc to make up for the lost ground this past season.
4.
—Ursula Schmied, Glamour, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lost 
Adjective
The mysterious, unnamed teen is strongly hinted to be Agatha’s lost son, who she is said to have given away in exchange for the Darkhold, a magic spellbook.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
Both of the aforementioned sieges at Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith reached a point where all seemed lost, until the cavalry arrived at the last moment to rescue the good guys.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 26 Sep. 2024
An increase in seller’s fees, which will be capped at 10 percent on all lots up to $500,000, will compensate for the lost revenue.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2024
However, Gabriel needs a redemption arc to make up for the lost ground this past season.
4.
—Ursula Schmied, Glamour, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lost
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lost
Cite this Entry
“Lost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lost. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lost
adjective1
: not used, won, or claimed
lost opportunities
2
: no longer possessed or known
a long lost uncle
3
: ruined or destroyed physically or morally
4
: unable to find the way
a lost puppy
5
: having the mind absorbed and not aware of surroundings
lost in daydreams
6
: futile
a lost cause
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