missing

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.

Synonyms of missing

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

Examples of missing in a Sentence

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

Note any missing warning signs, poor lighting, or the size of a spill. —Miami Herald, 12 May 2026

The impact of these systematics in our inference is arguably the most important missing ingredient in current approaches to model the universe. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 May 2026

Yet what was missing was a vessel for creating his alternative sounds. —Miki Hellerbach, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

European YouTube star Lil Narcyz has been found dead at age 23, roughly a month after his family last heard from him and he was considered missing. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing missing

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

Rhymes for missing

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

Kids Definition

missing

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmis-iŋ 

: absent entry 1 sense 1, lost

missing persons

missing in action