missing
Something is missing when it is not in its expected place or has been lost.
Explanation at your level:
If you cannot find your pen, you say: 'My pen is missing.' It means the pen is not here. You can also say: 'I have a missing book.' This means one book is not with the others. Use 'missing' when something is gone.
You use missing to talk about things that are lost. For example, 'The police are looking for the missing child.' You can also use it for small things, like 'There is a missing button on my shirt.' It is a very common word for everyday problems.
At this level, you might use missing to describe information or parts of a project. 'The report has some missing data.' It is also used in the phrase 'missing out', which means you didn't get to participate in something fun. It is a versatile adjective for describing gaps in a set.
In B2, you start using missing in more complex contexts, such as 'missing in action' or 'the missing link'. You might also use it to describe abstract concepts, like 'a missing sense of purpose'. It conveys a sense of frustration or a need for completion in professional or academic writing.
Advanced learners use missing to describe subtle absences. You might say 'the missing nuance in the argument' or 'a missing element of surprise'. It functions as a precise tool to identify exactly what is absent from a complex situation, often implying that the absence changes the entire outcome of an event or theory.
At the mastery level, missing is often used in literary or analytical contexts. You might discuss 'the missing voice of a generation' or 'the missing historical record'. It carries weight here, implying a profound loss or a deliberate omission. It is a word that anchors the reader's attention to the void left by the absent subject.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Missing means absent.
- Used as an adjective.
- Common in daily life.
- Pronounced /ˈmɪs.ɪŋ/.
Hey there! Have you ever reached into your pocket for your keys only to realize they aren't there? That feeling is exactly what we mean when we use the word missing. It is a super versatile word used to describe anything that is absent, lost, or simply not where it belongs.
You will see this word everywhere in daily life. Whether it is a missing sock from the laundry, a missing piece of a puzzle, or even a person who hasn't been seen for a while, the core idea is always the same: something is gone or not present. It is a very helpful word because it clearly communicates that there is a gap that needs to be filled.
The word missing comes from the Middle English verb 'missen', which traces back to the Old English word 'missan'. This ancient root meant 'to fail to hit' or 'to go astray'. It is actually related to the German word 'missen', which shares that same history of 'failing' to reach a target.
Over centuries, the word evolved from just meaning 'to miss a target with an arrow' to broader concepts like 'missing a person' or 'something being absent'. It is fascinating how a word that started as a physical action of aiming and failing became a way to describe the emotional or physical state of being absent. It has been a staple of the English language for well over 800 years!
Using missing is quite straightforward. You can use it as an adjective before a noun, like 'a missing person' or 'a missing page'. It is also very common to use it after a verb like 'to be', as in 'My wallet is missing.'
In casual conversation, we often say things like 'I'm missing my favorite show.' In more formal settings, you might see it in reports, such as 'The data is missing from the final audit.' Just remember that it usually implies that the item should be there, but it isn't. It is neutral in tone, so it works perfectly in almost any situation, from a friendly chat to a professional email.
Idioms make language fun! Here are some common ones:
- Missing in action (MIA): Originally military, now used for anyone who is unavailable.
- Missing the boat: To miss an opportunity.
- Missing the mark: To fail to achieve the desired result.
- Missing a few screws: A polite way to say someone is acting a bit strange.
- Missing link: A missing piece of evidence in a theory or chain of events.
Grammatically, missing acts as an adjective or the present participle of 'miss'. It is pronounced /ˈmɪs.ɪŋ/ in both British and American English, with the stress on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like 'kissing', 'hissing', 'blissing', 'dismissing', and 'fissing'.
When using it as an adjective, it usually comes before the noun or after a linking verb. You don't pluralize it (you wouldn't say 'missings'). It is a very stable word that doesn't change form based on the subject, making it quite easy to use correctly in your sentences!
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'mistake'.
Pronunciation Guide
short i sound
clear ng sound
Common Errors
- dropping the g
- making the i too long
- stressing the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Present Participle
He is missing.
Examples by Level
My key is missing.
key = klic
adjective usage
The cat is missing.
cat = kočka
adjective usage
I have a missing page.
page = strana
adjective usage
Is your bag missing?
bag = taška
question form
The toy is missing.
toy = hračka
adjective usage
My shoe is missing.
shoe = bota
adjective usage
Are the socks missing?
socks = ponožky
plural usage
The dog is missing.
dog = pes
adjective usage
The missing file is on the desk.
I noticed a missing button on my coat.
She is looking for her missing cat.
There is a missing piece in the puzzle.
He reported a missing wallet to the police.
The missing information was found later.
Are there any missing items in the box?
The missing child was found safe.
I feel like I'm missing out on the fun.
The report has several missing pages.
We are missing a few members of the team.
The missing link in the investigation was the phone call.
He is missing from the group photo.
Don't let this opportunity go missing.
The missing ingredients were bought at the store.
She realized her passport was missing.
The missing evidence was crucial to the case.
I hate the feeling of missing out on big events.
The missing piece of the puzzle finally clicked into place.
He was declared missing in action during the war.
There is a missing nuance in your explanation.
The missing data caused the system to crash.
She felt a missing sense of belonging in the new city.
The missing chapter changes the whole story.
The missing element in his theory is empirical evidence.
Her absence left a missing void in the department.
The missing records suggest a cover-up.
We must address the missing link in our strategy.
The missing perspective makes the study incomplete.
He pointed out the missing logic in the argument.
The missing tone in the email was misinterpreted.
The missing variable made the equation unsolvable.
The missing legacy of the poet is finally being recognized.
A missing sense of urgency led to the project's failure.
The missing chapters of history are often the most telling.
His missing presence was felt by everyone at the gala.
The missing consensus among the board members is troubling.
The missing link between art and science is creativity.
The missing nuance in the translation lost the original meaning.
The missing link in the evolutionary chain remains a mystery.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"missing the boat"
to miss an opportunity
I didn't apply in time and missed the boat.
casual""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
similar meaning
lost is often permanent
I lost my ring vs My ring is missing.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + missing
The key is missing.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Missing is an adjective here, so it needs a verb like 'is'.
Tips
When to use
Use it when something is gone.
Say it right
Focus on the short i.
Don't forget the verb
Always use 'is' or 'are'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Miss-ing: You miss something when it is not there.
Visual Association
A sign that says 'Missing' with a photo.
Word Web
Challenge
List 3 things that are missing from your room.
Word Origin
Germanic
Original meaning: to fail to hit
Cultural Context
Use 'missing person' with care as it can be a sensitive topic.
Used frequently in news reports for missing persons.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- missing homework
- missing page
- missing pen
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever lost something important?"
"What do you do when something is missing?"
"Do you know any missing persons cases?"
"Why do people lose things?"
"How do you feel when you are missing out?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you lost something.
Describe a missing item.
What does it mean to feel missing?
Write a story about a missing key.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is the present participle of the verb 'miss'.
Test Yourself
My cat is ___.
The cat is not there.
What does missing mean?
It means absent.
If something is missing, you can see it.
If it is missing, it is not there.
Word
Meaning
Idiom matching.
The file is missing.
Score: /5
Summary
If something is missing, it is not where it should be.
- Missing means absent.
- Used as an adjective.
- Common in daily life.
- Pronounced /ˈmɪs.ɪŋ/.
When to use
Use it when something is gone.
Say it right
Focus on the short i.
Don't forget the verb
Always use 'is' or 'are'.
