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
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
From a seven-game losing streak out of the gate, to injury after injury, to the inability, more often than not, to get the clutch hit or make the key pitch or make the right play, ‘25 was a lost campaign in many ways.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 19 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday night in Philadelphia, the Magic looked lost, disconnected and flat.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
At this time last year, Swayman was looking for a way to pick up the pieces of a lost season.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 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
This is not only costly in terms of lost trade, but mines are also not quick to clear up.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
From a seven-game losing streak out of the gate, to injury after injury, to the inability, more often than not, to get the clutch hit or make the key pitch or make the right play, ‘25 was a lost campaign in many ways.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 19 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday night in Philadelphia, the Magic looked lost, disconnected and flat.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
At this time last year, Swayman was looking for a way to pick up the pieces of a lost season.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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