entirely lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely lost" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to describe something being impossible to find or regain, or to describe a person feeling completely overwhelmed. For example, "After spending all day searching for my missing keys, I felt entirely lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not entirely lost hope.

The New York Times

But they weren't entirely lost.

The New York Times

Their works are entirely lost.

The Guardian - Arts

It was not, however, entirely lost.

The New York Times - Arts

So you've not entirely lost your faith?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They were not entirely lost but nor were they won.

The New York Times

But the solitary pleasure of it was entirely lost.

The New Yorker

But communities and open-space advocates never entirely lost hope.

The New York Times

Not that he entirely lost his love for it.

The Guardian - Arts

This lesson is not entirely lost on western policymakers.

The Guardian - Opinion

David Cameron still hasn't entirely lost his political touch.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirely lost" to emphasize the completeness of loss, whether it's a physical object, an abstract concept like hope, or a feeling of disorientation. This phrase adds a layer of intensity to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "entirely lost" when the loss is only partial or temporary. This phrase suggests a permanent and complete state, so ensure the context justifies such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely lost" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of complete loss or disorientation. It intensifies the concept of being lost, emphasizing the totality of the loss as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entirely lost" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a state of complete loss, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for formal news reports as well as informal conversation. When writing, it's important to consider the intensity of "entirely lost" and reserve its use for situations where the loss is truly complete and irreversible. Alternatives such as "completely irrecoverable" or "utterly vanished" can offer similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely irrecoverable

This alternative emphasizes the impossibility of recovery, akin to something "entirely lost".

utterly vanished

This alternative suggests a complete disappearance, much like something being "entirely lost".

irretrievably gone

This emphasizes the inability to retrieve something, similar to something being "entirely lost".

completely forgotten

This alternative focuses on the loss of memory or awareness, resembling a sense of being "entirely lost" in oblivion.

totally consumed

This suggests being overwhelmed or absorbed, similar to feeling "entirely lost" in a situation.

fully disoriented

This alternative focuses on the loss of direction or understanding, akin to feeling "entirely lost" in confusion.

beyond redemption

This conveys a state of being unredeemable, similar to a situation being "entirely lost" to any positive outcome.

irreversibly misplaced

This alternative highlights the inability to undo the act of misplacing, close to the feeling of something being "entirely lost".

absolutely ruined

This conveys a state of complete destruction or damage, much like a situation being "entirely lost" to hope.

thoroughly bewildered

This focuses on a state of complete confusion, much like the feeling of being "entirely lost" in complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "entirely lost" in a sentence?

You can use "entirely lost" to describe something that cannot be found or regained, such as "The map was old and the trail markings faded, leaving us entirely lost in the forest", or to describe a feeling, as in "After the unexpected news, she felt entirely lost and unsure of what to do next".

What's a good alternative to "entirely lost"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "completely irrecoverable", "utterly vanished", or "irretrievably gone" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "almost entirely lost"?

Yes, "almost entirely lost" is grammatically correct. It suggests that something is nearly completely lost, but a small portion remains. It's useful when you want to indicate a near-total loss without being absolute.

What's the difference between "entirely lost" and "partially lost"?

"Entirely lost" means something is completely unrecoverable or missing, whereas "partially lost" means only a portion of it is missing or unrecoverable. The first indicates a total loss, and the second suggests some part still exists or can be found.