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

Since returning to the mound in 2024, Buehler’s velocity has most often been closer to the low 90s, and his command has been generally missing. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

While the Comets had more opportunities in the fourth, with several efforts barely missing, their comeback effort was unsuccessful. —Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

Officials there advised passengers to arrive three to four hours before departure to avoid missing flights. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

But what if the larvae are dead or missing, there’s no high-quality DNA or there isn’t the time—or equipment—to sequence the flies’ genomes? —Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 10 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