hit-and-miss

adjective

ˌhit-ᵊn-ˈmis 

: sometimes successful and sometimes not : not reliably good or successful

Examples of hit-and-miss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What to Pack Cell service is hit-and-miss, so bring an emergency SOS device, like a Garmin inReach. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 18 June 2026

This service should be regular and ongoing, not hit-and-miss. — Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026

The onsite restaurant went through a several hit-and-miss iterations before the current occupant, La Pentola, took over. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Drew Allar, Penn State Allar has prototypical size, tantalizing arm strength and… well, hit-and-miss production. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hit-and-miss

• reminisce
• abyss
• amiss
• chlamys
• dismiss
• premiss
• remiss
• bis
• bliss
• criss
• dis
• diss

Kids Definition

hit-and-miss

adjective

ˌhit-ᵊn-ˈmis

: sometimes successful and sometimes not : haphazard