go missing

1 of 3

phrase

chiefly British : to become lost : disappear

missing

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

present participle of miss entry 1

Synonyms of go missing

Adjective

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

Examples of go 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

Phrase

Law enforcement asked for help finding a 16-year-old who went missing from southeast Jackson County Tuesday evening. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2026

Visa, known as Lola to her colleagues, died at the age of 32 in mysterious circumstances last month after going missing on a trip to Llandudno, a coastal town in north Wales. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

Adjective

More than 1,000 people have been confirmed dead and thousands remain missing after the catastrophe, according to authorities in both countries. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

After a 30-minute search, crews located the missing paddleboarder, who had been dragged two miles offshore. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1845, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing go missing

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

Rhymes for go missing

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