lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be found or someone who is confused or unsure of their direction. Example: "After wandering through the unfamiliar streets for hours, I realized I was completely lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You lost, stop being so damn jealous and move forward".

The Guardian

"This is unacceptable and distressing to those who lost friends and family.

The Guardian

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

Yet all is not lost.

The New York Times

"We lost the game in the first half".

The New York Times - Sports

My eldest kids had a very tough time when they lost their mum and I don't want them to lose their dad.

The Guardian

He lost.

The New York Times

Sevilla scored three and, for the first time in history, two penalties were given against Madrid at home, but still the visitors lost by four.

The Guardian - Sport

After Buhari lost to Jonathan in 2011, 800 people died and 65,000 were forced from their homes by riots in the north.

The Guardian

The Lib Dems lost to NOC at South Somerset, Three Rivers and Watford.

The Guardian

But any irony involved in a coalition government that came to power pledging to scrap identity cards introducing a system of foreign residence permits will be lost as the political parties indulge in "a race to the bottom" over immigration.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost" in the context of losing a game or competition, ensure clarity by specifying what was lost (e.g., "We lost the game" or "They lost the election").

Common error

Be careful when using "lost" as an adjective to describe a person's state of mind. While it can mean confused, ensure the context makes it clear that you're not referring to someone who is physically lost (e.g., "He seemed lost in thought" instead of simply "He was lost").

Linguistic Context

The word "lost" functions primarily as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'lose'. It describes the action of no longer possessing something, being defeated in a competition, or becoming unable to find one's way. Ludwig examples demonstrate its diverse usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost" is a highly versatile term primarily used as the past tense of 'lose', frequently appearing in various contexts from news and sports to personal narratives. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and high frequency make it a reliable choice for expressing concepts ranging from misplacement and defeat to disorientation and irretrievability. While its register remains mostly neutral, ensuring clarity, especially when using it adjectivally or in specific contexts like competitions, is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missing

A general term for something that cannot be found, without necessarily implying how it was lost.

misplaced

Implies a temporary inability to locate something, suggesting it still exists but is not in its usual spot.

gone astray

Indicates a deviation from the correct path or course, often implying a sense of being off track.

vanished

Suggests a sudden and complete disappearance, often with an element of mystery.

disappeared

Similar to vanished, but can also refer to a more gradual fading from view or existence.

irretrievable

Indicates that something is permanently lost and cannot be recovered.

squandered

Specifically refers to wasting something valuable, like time or money, through foolish actions.

forfeited

Implies losing something as a consequence of breaking a rule or failing to meet a condition.

deprived of

Suggests that something has been taken away or withheld from someone.

no longer in possession of

A formal way of saying that someone has lost something, emphasizing the change in ownership.

FAQs

How can I use "lost" in a sentence about a competition?

You can say "The team "lost" the match" or "She "lost" the race". Be sure to specify what was "lost", such as the game, the election, or the opportunity.

What is a more formal synonym for "lost"?

Depending on the context, you might use "forfeited", "relinquished", or "deprived of" as more formal alternatives to ""lost"".

How does "lost" differ from "missing"?

"Lost" often implies that something is irretrievable or that someone is disoriented. "Missing" simply means that something or someone cannot be found at the moment, without implying permanence or cause.

Is it correct to say "I'm "lost" in thought"?

Yes, "I'm "lost" in thought" is a common and correct idiom. It means that you are deeply absorbed in your thoughts and not paying attention to your surroundings.