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

The body of a missing 26-year-old man from Washington County was pulled from the Monongahela River this weekend. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Guides leading a tour group on an old stretch of railway found a missing 71-year-old hiker on March 18 in a remote, heavily wooded part of Northern California. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026

So, for example, three of my books are about a child that goes missing. —Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026

Authorities searching for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, are opening up about a key detail in their investigation. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Mar. 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