missing

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

present participle of miss entry 1

Synonyms of missing

Adjective

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

Examples of 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

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

But while Hillary and Laura were hard at work, Jill Biden appeared to have gone missing. — Azadeh Moaveni, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Authorities say Peachy was found with bloodied feathers, wing injuries and seven to eight feathers missing. — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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