missing

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

present participle of miss entry 1

Synonyms of missing

Adjective

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

Examples of 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

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

At least 211 people were rescued from an Indonesian ferry that caught fire last month in rough seas near the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, while one person was found dead and four others remained missing. — Iman Satria, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Savannah Guthrie shared an emotional plea to the public during the September 14th broadcast of the Today show regarding the ongoing search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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