missing

1 of 2

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmi-siŋ 

1

: absent

a missing tooth

also : lost

my keys are missing

—sometimes used in the phrase go missing

My keys have gone missing.

2

: needed or expected but not included

It's a good sauce, but something is missing.

see also:

go missing

missing

2 of 2

present participle of miss entry 1

Synonyms of missing

Adjective

• lost
• gone
• misplaced

Examples of missing in a Sentence

Adjective

The new director has provided the missing ingredient that was needed for the show's success.

the missing socks turned up in the dog's special hiding place

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Rescuers have so far recovered the bodies of at least 1,455 people, but 5,285 others remain missing, including hundreds of foreign nationals. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

This is not to include the scores of journalists that remain missing. — Daniel Peña, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

If the defect is a missing or mismatched identification number, it can be cured on the Ballot by Mail Tracker. — Digital Producer, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

But the Coast Guard also found three bodies, and the search for 10 people who remained missing was eventually called off. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing missing

• missing in action
• missing link
• missing person report
• someone doesn't know what he/she is missing

Rhymes for missing

• hissing
• kissing
• characterising
• dismissing
• nipissing
• reminiscing

Kids Definition

missing

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmis-iŋ 

: absent entry 1 sense 1, lost

missing persons

missing in action