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
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
For example, if a tree falls on the house and the damage is so extensive the tenants can no longer live there, a policy will cover the lost rent until the place can be occupied again.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The lost game is now playable online.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
The lost points on the jump, somewhere in the range of seven or eight, took away any chance of being a medal contender.
—Dave Skretta, Hartford Courant, 17 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
His offensive rating is a ghastly 101, the lowest since the lost 2019-20 season, and his 113 defensive rating is the lowest of his career.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
For example, if a tree falls on the house and the damage is so extensive the tenants can no longer live there, a policy will cover the lost rent until the place can be occupied again.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The lost game is now playable online.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
The lost points on the jump, somewhere in the range of seven or eight, took away any chance of being a medal contender.
—Dave Skretta, Hartford Courant, 17 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 23 Feb. 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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