missing

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmi-siŋ How to pronounce missing (audio)
1
: absent
a missing tooth
also : lost
my keys are missing
sometimes used in the phrase go missing
My keys have gone missing.
2
: needed or expected but not included
It's a good sauce, but something is missing.

Examples of missing in a Sentence

The new director has provided the missing ingredient that was needed for the show's success. the missing socks turned up in the dog's special hiding place
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After Milo goes missing, Marissa and her husband Peter (Lacy) launch a frantic search for their son. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025 Perilous Voyages More than 5,100 Rohingya have taken boats to leave Myanmar and Bangladesh between January and early November this year, with nearly 600 people reported dead or missing, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency. Reuters, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025 Comfortable slides just might be what his footwear’s missing. John Lonsdale, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025 Tracking those down could lead to the missing source. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for missing

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of missing was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Missing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missing. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

missing

adjective
miss·​ing ˈmis-iŋ How to pronounce missing (audio)
: absent entry 1 sense 1, lost
missing persons
missing in action

More from Merriam-Webster on missing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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