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

But the chairman and chief executive of Surf Air, based in Santa Monica, can’t completely dismiss the sense that something is amiss at the 5-year-old carrier. — Hugo Martin, latimes.com, "Surf Air faces lawsuit, tax liens," 23 June 2018 Some on Right Think So A text message sent the day after the 2016 presidential election has some wondering if something is amiss at the FBI. — Newsweek, "Analysis," 14 Mar. 2018 President Nicolás Maduro has denied that anything is amiss. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "A ‘Military Option’ for Sick Venezuelans," 22 Nov. 2018 Fred Bellis, a spokesman for Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes, said Wednesday that nothing was amiss. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Broward’s Ballots," 12 Nov. 2018 After realizing that something was amiss, Francis ordered a Vatican investigation that uncovered decades of abuse and cover-ups by the Chilean church leadership. — Nicole Winfield, Fox News, "Pope defrocks Chilean priest at center of abuse scandal," 28 Sep. 2018 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

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.