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.
The bodies of four Italian divers who went missing during a scuba diving accident in the Maldives last week have been located, officials have confirmed to the BBC.
From BBC • May 18, 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
The Jalisco state government lists more than 16,000 reports of missing people — the most of any Mexican state.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
My ridiculous daydreams about confessing my true feelings to Trey had always been sprinkled with puns or jokes, strategies for laughing it off without missing a beat, if he wasn’t receptive.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
