missing

[ mis-ing ]

adjective

1. absent, not found, or lost:

   a missing person.

2. lacking:

   Something is missing in this relationship.

missing

/ 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. go missing
   to become lost or disappear

Word History and Origins

Origin of missing¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go missing, to disappear; become lost:

   My keys have gone missing again.

Example Sentences

He was left with a broken jaw, missing teeth, 15 small punctures and two deep lacerations on his cheek and neck, which the 33-year-old said could scar.

From BBC

As she got up, she noticed her jeans’ button was undone and her belt was missing.

From BBC

But, according to former BBC TV producer Andrew Graystone in his 2021 book about the abuse, the case was bedevilled with problems, police documents were missing and Smyth’s legal prowess led to the prosecutor being removed - another one was never appointed, so the case was essentially shelved in 1997.

From BBC

Ollie Sleightholme makes his first England start on the wing in place of the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, while Sam Underhill comes in for Tom Curry, who is also missing with concussion.

From BBC

He gets a new lease on life when he’s tapped by a private investigator to go undercover at a San Francisco retirement home to dig into the theft of a missing heirloom.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• away
• lost
• removed