missing

American  

[mis-ing] / ˈmɪs ɪŋ /

adjective

1. absent, not found, or lost.

   a missing person.

2. lacking.

   Something is missing in this relationship.

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idioms

1. go missing, to disappear; become lost.

   My keys have gone missing again.

missing British  

/ ˈmɪsɪŋ /

adjective

1. not present; absent or lost

2. not able to be traced and not known to be dead

   nine men were missing after the attack

3. to become lost or disappear

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Etymology

Origin of missing

First recorded in 1520–30; miss ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Authorities have continued searching for Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother after she was reported missing from her Arizona home, and the case has drawn national attention.

From Salon

And after missing her first two match points at 5-3, the Briton saved two break-back points and served out the win at the third time of asking.

From BBC

Wills are lost and go missing, only to be rediscovered.

From MarketWatch

Inside the 14 hours between when Nancy Guthrie was last seen and family members discovered she was missing.

From Los Angeles Times

The missing part has not yet been located, police have said, due to the "nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled", police have said.

From BBC

Related Words

• away
• lost
• removed