lost soul

[lawst sohl, lost]

noun

1. a person who seems to lack direction or a sense of belonging in life.

   He was described as a "lost soul" who was estranged from his family and fell into crime.

   The film focuses on four lost souls: a disgraced TV anchor, a rebellious teen, an isolated single mom, and a self-absorbed music nerd.

2. a person on the way to hell or perdition.

   Their preaching focused on bringing lost souls to repentance through God's love.

3. the damned soul or restless spirit of a dead person.

   Ghosts are spirits who cannot reincarnate again, and are miserable lost souls.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lost soul¹

First recorded in 1640–50