Pronunciation: [vˈɜːlɒɹən] (IPA) 
"Verloren" is a German word meaning "lost". It is pronounced with a stressed "e" sound and a rolled "r" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈfɛɐ̯lɔʁn/. The "v" in the spelling is actually pronounced as an "f" sound in German. The "o" sound is pronounced like the "o" in "orange". The "e" at the end of the word is pronounced with a schwa sound or the sound of the letter "a" in "sofa".
verloren (adj.):
1. Lost or misplaced; unable to be found or recovered. This adjective refers to something that has been misplaced, missing, or unretrievable. It signifies the state of being lost in physical terms, such as losing an object or person.
2. Defeated or overwhelmed without any hope of regaining victory. In this sense, "verloren" describes a condition of being utterly beaten or demoralized, typically in a battle, competition, or conflict. It implies a state of hopelessness, with no expectation of recovery or triumph.
3. Desolate, abandoned, or forsaken. It denotes a sense of solitude, emptiness, or loneliness. It is often used to describe places or landscapes that have been left desolate or uninhabited.
4. Wasted or squandered. This definition of "verloren" refers to resources, time, opportunities, or talents that have been wantonly or foolishly wasted, resulting in a loss. It suggests a sense of regret or disappointment regarding the outcome of such misuse.
Overall, verloren encapsulates the notions of being lost, defeated, forsaken, or wasted. This word covers a wide range of contexts, from the physical to the emotional, and conveys a feeling of loss, hopelessness, or desolation.
The word "verloren" comes from the Germanic language family. In Old High German, it was "ferlorun", which derived from the verb "firlian", meaning "to lose". This verb itself originated from the Proto-Germanic root "*ferlōsaną", which translates to "to lose" or "to destroy". The word "verloren" has since evolved over time to its present form in German, with its meaning still preserved.
