lost soul

American  

[lawst sohl, lost] / ˈlɔst ˈsoʊl, ˈlɒst /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of lost soul

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

“They look like something out of a Cervantes novel…they have this lost soul thing.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He was described in court as a "lost soul" and an "eccentric fantasist" who believed he could manage Arsenal football club or even England.

From BBC

He was rescued by Louise Wilson, of Conservation K9 Consultancy in Wrexham, at eight months old when he was a "lost soul" struggling to find a home.

From BBC

But her heart isn’t in her work and for reasons we never buy, she takes pity on Doyle, recognizing in him a “lost soul.”

From Los Angeles Times

The implication is clear: Paul is a lost soul.

From Los Angeles Times