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
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
Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026
Electrolyte drinks and powders are meant to hydrate and replace the lost salt.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
In this, there really was all the freedom to slow down and to be, truly, kind of lost and vulnerable.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
And yet locating the synths on The Mirror can feel like combing through the jungle for the lost city of Zinj.
—Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lost
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Meanwhile, 2% hyaluronic acid fills in for any lost hydration, so you’re left with a brighter, glowing complexion.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026
Electrolyte drinks and powders are meant to hydrate and replace the lost salt.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
In this, there really was all the freedom to slow down and to be, truly, kind of lost and vulnerable.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
And yet locating the synths on The Mirror can feel like combing through the jungle for the lost city of Zinj.
—Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lost
Cite this Entry
“Lost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lost. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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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