miss

¹miss

verb \ˈmis\

Definition of MISS

transitive verb

1

: to fail to hit, reach, or contact <miss the target>

2

: to discover or feel the absence of

3

: to fail to obtain

4

: escape, avoid <just missed hitting the other car>

5

: to leave out : omit

6

: to fail to comprehend, sense, or experience <missed the point of the speech>

7

: to fail to perform or attend <had to miss school for a week>

intransitive verb

1

archaic : to fail to get, reach, or do something

2

: to fail to hit something

3

a : to be unsuccessful

b : misfire <the engine missed>

— miss·able \ˈmi-sə-bəl\ adjective

— miss a beat

: to deviate from regular smooth performance <the company changed ownership without missing a beat>

— miss out on

: to lose a good opportunity for <missed out on a better job>

— miss the boat

: to fail to take advantage of an opportunity

Examples of MISS

1. He swung and missed the ball completely.
2. The shot missed the goal by inches.
3. The batter swung and missed.
4. She took three shots and missed every time.
5. I would hate to miss this opportunity.
6. She could have joined us, but she missed her chance.
7. They missed a payment on their car loan.
8. He was in such a hurry that he missed breakfast.

Origin of MISS

Middle English, from Old English missan; akin to Old High German missan to miss

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to MISS

Synonyms

blow off, cut, skip

Antonyms

attend, show up (for)

Related Words

ignore, neglect, pass over

Near Antonyms

cook, flourish, prosper, thrive; prevail, triumph, win

²miss

noun

Definition of MISS

1

chiefly dialect : disadvantage or regret resulting from loss <we know the miss of you, and even hunger … to see you — Samuel Richardson>

2

a : a failure to hit

b : a failure to attain a desired result

3

: misfire

First Known Use of MISS

12th century

³miss

noun

Definition of MISS

1

capitalized

a —used as a title prefixed to the name of an unmarried woman or girl

b —used before the name of a place or of a line of activity or before some epithet to form a title for a usually young unmarried female who is representative of the thing indicated <Miss America>

2

: young lady —used without a name as a conventional term of address to a young woman

3

: a young unmarried woman or girl

4

plural : a clothing size for women of average height and build

Origin of MISS

short for mistress

First Known Use: 1667

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sire, sous

Miss

abbreviation

Definition of MISS

Mississippi