amiss

adverb

\ə-ˈmis

Definition of amiss

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

adjective

Definition of amiss (Entry 2 of 2)

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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about amiss

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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

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, "Inflammation is bad, including for those in the womb," 12 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The Instagram confirmation of their forthcoming nuptials is certainly exciting, but as one person on Twitter noted, there's something a tad amiss about Justin's Instagram activity. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Justin Bieber Doesn't Follow Hailey Baldwin on Instagram," 10 July 2018 Other than what Tyler deemed a possible concussion sustained during practice his freshman season, nothing to that point appeared amiss. — Greg Bishop, SI.com, "A College QB's Suicide. A Family's Search for Answers.," 26 June 2018 When the university rewarded two of the mob’s leaders with a prestigious prize, something was deeply amiss. — James Kirchick, WSJ, "I’m Running to Restore Yale Values," 3 June 2018 While there was nothing noticeably amiss with Chen physically or his fastball velocity,Mattingly apparently figured the pitcher had hit a wall. — Clark Spencer, miamiherald, "The hook comes out fast for Wei-Yin Chen as Marlins drop third straight," 1 June 2018 While responding to that incident, police were advised of a report of possible shots fired in the vicinity of 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, just east of Intimo, but found nothing amiss, according to the release. — Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, "Possible link between shell casings and 60-person brawl outside Tinley Park bar, police say," 22 May 2018 But something was quite obviously amiss: The Suits star’s messy bun was seemingly … less messy. — Lisa Ryan, The Cut, "Meghan Markle Continues to Refine Her Messy Bun," 19 Apr. 2018 Comparisons to Shakespeare’s great history plays are not amiss. — Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Angels,’ a once-prescient masterpiece, returns to its Bay Area birthplace," 15 Apr. 2018 William Travis is apparently aware that something is amiss outside the walls of the fortress. — Robert Kolarik, San Antonio Express-News, "Time draws nigh for the attack," 4 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amiss.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.