missing

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.

Synonyms of missing

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

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

Trip plans unravel fast when flights slip, baggage goes missing, or a surprise cold snap hits the destination. —Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026

With land and capital relatively abundant, labor was the crucial missing factor for planters across the South. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 9 June 2026

More than four months have passed since Nancy Guthrie unexpectedly went missing, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate her disappearance. —Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 9 June 2026

Robert is a missing at-risk 16-year-old. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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