hit-or-miss

1 of 2

adjective

ˌhit-ər-ˈmis 

: marked by a lack of care, forethought, system, or plan

also : hit-and-miss

hit or miss

2 of 2

adverb

: in a hit-or-miss manner : haphazardly

Synonyms of hit-or-miss

Adjective

• random
• scattered
• arbitrary
• erratic

Adverb

• randomly

Examples of hit-or-miss in a Sentence

Adjective

your hit-or-miss schedule for taking your medication is going to land you in the hospital again

Adverb

I was learning Spanish hit or miss, mostly just by hearing my friends speak it.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The problem is that those splash plays and big weeks usually happen on fantasy benches because Shaheed is far too hit-or-miss (or miss or miss) to be counted on as more than a desperation play. — Gary Davenport, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Factor in stubbornly high inflation, sluggish wage growth and a hit-or-miss job market, and many Americans below the very top of the income scale are feeling a lot poorer these days. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Adverb

The Downsized Essentials Hotel toiletries can be hit or miss, and there’s no guarantee your accommodations will even provide the basics. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

With Disney serving as popular culture’s foremost purveyor of such retreads, the formula for what makes a live-action remake hit or miss with audiences could hardly seem less formulaic. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1669, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1609, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hit-or-miss

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

Kids Definition

hit or miss

adverb

: without plan, order, or direction : haphazardly

hit-or-miss

ˌhit-ər-ˈmis

adjective