missing
Americanadjective
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absent, not found, or lost.
a missing person.
-
lacking.
Something is missing in this relationship.
idioms
adjective
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not present; absent or lost
-
not able to be traced and not known to be dead
nine men were missing after the attack
-
to become lost or disappear
Etymology
Origin of missing
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said the mother said guns were missing and that her son left with a companion wearing camouflage outfits.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
"Girls were missing at least 80 days of school a year because of menstruation," says Bio.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
After missing so much time in recent years with injuries to his back, his knee, his wrist and his calf, he’s just happy to be contributing again.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026
The striking absence of Erika Kirk, who spoke at the kick-off event in Los Angeles but has otherwise been missing in action.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
I ask, glancing back at my switchboard where lights are still continuing to flicker—calls I am missing, a job I am still supposed to be doing.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
