missing

1 of 2

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmi-siŋ 

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.

see also:

go missing

missing

2 of 2

present participle of miss entry 1

Synonyms of missing

Adjective

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

Examples of missing in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Body-camera video obtained by CBS News Atlanta shows HeeHaw the donkey galloping toward officers before a Cedartown police officer shoots him during a search for a missing girl. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

The assemblies also feature NFC identification, and the printer detects whether the platform is correctly installed or missing, providing another useful check before printing. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026

Twenty-three of the GFS Galaxy’s crew were rescued by the Omani Navy after abandoning ship, with one engineer remaining missing. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

The only thing that is missing, more often than not, is the squeals and laughter of children taking a break and playing in the middle of the school day. — Rachel Deitch, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing missing

• missing in action
• missing link
• missing person report
• someone doesn't know what he/she is missing

Rhymes for missing

• hissing
• kissing
• characterising
• dismissing
• nipissing
• reminiscing

Kids Definition

missing

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmis-iŋ 

: absent entry 1 sense 1, lost

missing persons

missing in action