missing

American  

[mis-ing] / ˈmɪs ɪŋ /

adjective

1. absent, not found, or lost.

   a missing person.

2. lacking.

   Something is missing in this relationship.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of missing

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

Example Sentences

"When I had just one of my teeth missing, I couldn't smile and my self-confidence was going," says Carol Sherman, who was at the front of that huge queue in Bristol two years ago.

From BBC

The strikes on Ras Laffan then halted the movement of liquefied natural gas feedstock, which powers fertilizer manufacturing in those countries that might otherwise compensate for the Gulf’s missing output of fertilizer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Forest impressed last season, missing out on Champions League football by one point, playing in a counter-attacking fashion that suited the strengths of their players.

From BBC

A growing number of TSA agents have been skipping work because they’re missing out on paychecks.

From MarketWatch

A partial government shutdown has meant around 50,000 employees have been working without pay—missing their first full paycheck last week.

From Barron's

Related Words

• away
• lost
• removed