amiss

American  

[uh-mis] / əˈmɪs /

adverb

1. out of the right or proper course, order, or condition; improperly; wrongly; astray.

   Did I speak amiss?

   Synonyms:

   unsuitably, inappropriately

   Antonyms:

   properly, rightly

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adjective

1. improper; wrong; faulty.

   I think something is amiss in your calculations.

   Synonyms:

   askew, awry, erroneous, mistaken

   Antonyms:

   true, correct

idioms

1. take amiss, to be offended at or resentful of (something not meant to cause offense or resentment); misunderstand.

   I couldn't think of a way to present my view so that no one would take it amiss.

amiss British  

/ əˈmɪs /

adverb

1. in an incorrect, inappropriate, or defective manner

2. to be annoyed or offended by something

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adjective

1. (postpositive) wrong, incorrect, or faulty

amiss More Idioms  

1. see under take the wrong way.

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Etymology

Origin of amiss

1200–50; Middle English amis, equivalent to a- a- ¹ + mis wrong. See miss ¹

Explanation

When things are out of their proper places or not happening the way they should, we say they are amiss. Sherlock Holmes, like many sharp detectives, would quickly notice when something was amiss at a crime scene. The word amiss can be used as an adverb, as in the sentence, "I spoke amiss." Or you could use it as an adjective, as when you think something is wrong or missing — "Something in the room is amiss." Either way, amiss refers to something that is wrong, off the mark, or "missed." Once in a while, the word amiss can imply that something fishy or foul has taken place. In Hamlet, when Marcellus said, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," he might as well have said, "Something in Denmark is amiss."

Example Sentences

Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many Ashes knocks in the top six and produced a lower average.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

Since 1900, only England's Dennis Amiss has had as many as Pope's 16 innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and averaged less.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

“They told us that our dorm building, especially, is prone to flooding,” said Erin Amiss, a student at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

Jonathan Trott, self-effacing and unfussed, guided England into calm waters in the manner of a Barrington or an Amiss.

From The Guardian • Jul. 21, 2011

The use of handbook tables and formulas, by John M. Amiss and Franklin D. Jones. © 13May31; A38478.

From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1958 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office

Related Words

• awry
• improper
• untoward