amiss

[ uh-mis ]

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

adjective

1. improper; wrong; faulty:

   I think something is amiss in your calculations.

   Synonyms: askew, awry, erroneous, mistaken

   Antonyms: true, correct

amiss

/ əˈmɪs /

adverb

1. in an incorrect, inappropriate, or defective manner
2. take something amiss
   take something amiss to be annoyed or offended by something

adjective

1. postpositive wrong, incorrect, or faulty

Word History and Origins

Origin of amiss¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of amiss¹

C13 a mis, from mis wrong; see miss ¹

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing amiss

see under take the wrong way .

Example Sentences

Something is clearly amiss in the global antiquities market.

From The Daily Beast

He did not suspect anything was amiss until he returned home that evening and found them gone.

From The Daily Beast

They wonder what has gone wrong, they wonder what they have done amiss.

From The Daily Beast

All of this happened in daylight, and controllers were aware that something was amiss.

From The Daily Beast

There seems to be a prevalent feeling that something is amiss at Apple.

From The Daily Beast

He saw in an instant that something was amiss, and drew from her a confession that her back was aching a little.

From Project Gutenberg

Although it is impossible, within the limits of this little volume, to give many hints upon riding, a few may not be amiss.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems to me, amongst the subjects treated of in my present work, that a few words on health will not come amiss.

From Project Gutenberg

But as the day wore on it became plain to everybody at Heston—to Roger first and foremost—that something was much amiss.

From Project Gutenberg

And as the days went on it grew plain to me that there was somewhat amiss about the court here.

From Project Gutenberg