missing

American  

[mis-ing] / ˈmɪs ɪŋ /

adjective

1. absent, not found, or lost.

   a missing person.

2. lacking.

   Something is missing in this relationship.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of missing

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

Example Sentences

Nathan Fielder is missing, probably up there somewhere, flying the friendly skies.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Now, researchers led by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison believe they may have uncovered the missing piece of the puzzle.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

Another body was recovered from the water of Rother Valley Country Park in South Yorkshire in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a teenage boy went missing.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

In a TV interview a few months later, she insisted that "money hasn't gone missing".

From BBC • May 25, 2026

“But I can get you one step closer to your first missing page.”

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

• away
• lost
• removed