Lost Meaning and Definition
Lost
Pronunciation
/lɒst/
Part of Speech
Adjective and Noun
Definition
Adjective: unable to find one’s way or find something. Noun: a person who cannot find their way back to their original place, society, or community.
Examples
- The traveler felt lost in the unfamiliar city.
- A child who was lost in the woods was found by a hiker.
Synonyms
- Disoriented
- Misplaced
Antonyms
- Found
- Guided
Etymology
The word “Lost” has its origins in Old English, derived from the verb “lūstan”, meaning “to lose” or “to be without”.
Usage Notes
When describing a person, the word “Lost” is often used to convey a sense of confusion, disorientation, or helplessness. In contrast, the word “Misplaced” typically implies that the person is familiar with their surroundings but has accidentally misplaced something.
Cultural References
The term “Lost Generation” was coined in 1922 by American author Ernest Hemingway to describe a group of post-World War I American expatriate writers living in Paris.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Say your prayers, or you’ll be Lost
He’s Lost without his phone
Related Words or Phrases
- Fly Away
- Pull Away
Collocations
- Lost in the crowd
- Lost in thought
Frequency of Use
The word “Lost” is a common term in everyday language, with an estimated 2.3 billion occurrences in English language texts.
Common Misspellings
- Loast
- Loest
- Lozt