amiss

1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈmis 

1

a

: in a mistaken way : wrongly

If you think he is guilty, you judge amiss.

b

: astray

Something had gone amiss.

2

: in a faulty way : imperfectly

practiced more so as not to play the piece amiss

amiss

2 of 2

adjective

1

: not being in accordance with right order

2

: faulty, imperfect

There's nothing/something amiss with the engine.

3

: out of place in given circumstances

—usually used with a negative

A few remarks may not be amiss here.

Synonyms

Adverb

• erroneously
• faultily
• improperly
• inaccurately
• inappropriately
• inaptly
• incorrectly
• mistakenly
• unsuitably
• wrongly

Adjective

• bad
• defective
• faulty
• flawed
• imperfect

Examples of amiss in a Sentence

Adverb

I hope that my suggestion that you might be more comfortable in a larger chair was not taken amiss.

the reenactment of the Wright Brothers' first flight went amiss when the wind died on the makeshift runway and the plane stopped short in a mud puddle

Adjective

Some of his assumptions are amiss.

The doctor's examination showed that nothing was amiss.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The whole incident -- from realizing something was going amiss to hitting the water -- only lasted one or two minutes. —Leah Asmelash, CNN, 21 Aug. 2019

This connectivity can provide a sense of brain organization, and there's a growing body of evidence that this organization goes amiss in those with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. —Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 12 Apr. 2018

Adjective

Something seems amiss if I am expected to be the server or cleaning crew. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024

Nothing seemed amiss with the personal injury attorney who looked relaxed and carefree during the festivities. —Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024

Add lifelong specialized medical care and little-to-no understanding of healthcare processes to that, and any parent would be left amiss. —Nadia Cantú, The Arizona Republic, 12 May 2024

But the largest sign things were amiss: the sudden shutdown of the labor and delivery services unit. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 May 2024

Onlookers first noticed something was amiss during the first dress rehearsal at Malmö Arena in Sweden on Friday. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 May 2024

Her first hint that something was amiss; her parents denied knowing anything. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024

As his mom Amy notes, the experience taught her the importance of always seeking a second opinion — even if nothing seems particularly amiss. —Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 1 May 2024

In both cases, adding a little water to the sauce wouldn't come amiss, as Texas-style and other kinds of baked beans have a tendency to dry out. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English amis, from a- a- entry 1 + mis miss entry 2

Note: Compare Old Icelandic á mis "passing one another without meeting."

Adjective

Middle English amis, derivative of amis amiss entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing amiss

• not come/go amiss

Kids Definition

amiss

1 of 2 adverb

ə-ˈmis 

1

: in the wrong way

don't take this remark amiss

2

: astray sense 2

something had gone amiss

amiss

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: not in accordance with the right order

b

: faulty, improper

something is amiss here

2

: out of place in given circumstances