missing

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmi-siŋ 

: absent

also : lost

missing in action

Synonyms

• 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 Buccaneers ran the ball in the direction of the missing lineman, believed to be Trevis Gipson, who was on kick coverage on the previous play. —Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025

Altman’s tech origin story is founding a social-media app with a fashionably missing vowel; AMD CEO Lisa Su’s involves loose wires and, later, the world’s top prize in microelectronics. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Three people remained missing in Kwigillingok as of Monday, according to an update by the state troopers, down from 20 unaccounted for on Sunday, while authorities continue verifying reports of additional missing residents in Kipnuk. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Alaska is dealing with the after-effects of Typhoon Halong, which left one person dead and three more missing, according to officials. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing missing

• go 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