actual loss
noun[C]
ukusFINANCE,ACCOUNTING
themoneythat islostwhen something issold, because it has gone down invalue, or whencostsand theeffectsofinflationareincluded:
I'llholdat themoment, because it's too much of anactuallossif Isellnow.
Compare
paper loss
LAW
themoneythat islostor will belostas aresultof something, which can becalculatedandclearlyshown:
The HighCourtsoughtto make thefinaldamagesreflectMr Smith'sactualloss.