From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlong-lostˌlong-ˈlost adjective [only before noun] LONG TIMElost or not seen for a long time long-lost treasureslong-lost brother/cousin/friend etc
Examples from the Corpus
long-lost• The bodies of successive generations transport them through time, so that a long-lost character may emerge in a distant descendant.• His long-lost cousin was a bit of a shock.• The two girls decide instead to opt for a frantic search for their long-lost father.• Later on, backstage, I am greeted with enthusiasm, as if I were a long-lost friend or something.• But Katrinka is sustained by her search for her long-lost son, and a wardrobe a Vegas showgirl could kill for.• But to her surprise the patron and his very large, round-faced wife greeted him like a long-lost son.• I felt like Father Christmas as I entered the front door of the cottage to be welcomed like a long-lost son.• a long-lost uncle• An ancient apple tree in the clearing has delicious, tart yellow apples of a long-lost variety.long-lost brother/cousin/friend etc• But she was looking at me as if we were long-lost friends.• He could not understand the familiarity of the elderly stranger, who gazed at him with the pride of a long-lost brother.• Grow a long-lost cousin in Missouri, or something.• Later on, backstage, I am greeted with enthusiasm, as if I were a long-lost friend or something.• His long-lost cousin was a bit of a shock. 