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

Search and rescue teams were not able to relocate the missing man, who was wearing a white turban and a black shirt, shorts and vest. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

Along with missing Jovic, Powell and Wiggins, the Heat was also without Vlad Goldin (G League) and Terry Rozier (not with team) on Monday. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

He had been previously reported as a missing person in August and in February 2023 from the same facility, authorities said, but had been found safely both times. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025

Erivo had to hold on to those emotions for six months before filming resumed, as Chu, Platt and editor Myron Kerstein used the downtime to identify any missing elements. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025

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