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

This missing piece—SKU-level data—is the secret sauce that can reveal true intelligence about a bank’s customers. —Jordan Glazier, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

The missing painting was reported to police and logged with the Art Loss Register shortly after its theft. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 23 June 2026

Before the giraffes were reported missing, state officials were looking into relocating four giraffes from the zoo after about 100 animals were seized during an investigation into animal abuse. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Savannah continues to ask the public for help locating her missing mother, while an imposter who sent fraudulent ransom demands has been arrested. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 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