go missing

1 of 3

phrase

chiefly British : to become lost : disappear

missing

2 of 3

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

3 of 3

present participle of miss entry 1

Synonyms of go missing

Adjective

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

Examples of go 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

Phrase

McHale was Raymond’s ex-wife and went missing in June 2016 after she was last seen at his home. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2026

Earhart went missing on July 2, 1937, while attempting to become the first person to fly around the equator. — Lana Zak, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Adjective

But shortly after beginning his tour of duty as a bazooka and machine gun specialist, the 21-year-old went missing. — J.d. Miles, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

The debut feature centers on Pilati, head of a kinnar, or third-gender, community in a village hemmed in by elephant forest, who takes over the hunt for a missing girl when police won’t help. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1845, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing go missing

• missing in action
• missing link
• missing person report
• someone doesn't know what he/she is missing

Rhymes for go missing

• dismissing
• nipissing
• characterising
• hissing
• kissing
• reminiscing