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

But nearly 2,300 people died or went missing trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean in 2026, compared to nearly 2,000 in the same period of 2025. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

The family of Canadian skyrunner Kalie McCrystal, who went missing two weeks ago while training on the Matterhorn on the Italian-Swiss border, confirmed the search has ended for the athlete. — Sarah Jean Maher, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Now six missing pages, which touched on Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, have been found. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026

The Broader Case Redistribution is a profit source your company is likely missing. — Wayne Elsey, Forbes.com, 16 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