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
   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 .