A2adjective2K

Missing

UK /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/

Definition

that cannot be found or that is not in its usual place; that has been removed, lost or destroyed

In simple words: Not present or lost.

Examples

  • She was missing her keys and couldn't find them anywhere.
  • The report is missing some important information that we need to complete it.
  • He felt missing without his friends around during the vacation.
  • I noticed that a few pages are missing from the book I borrowed.
  • The dog has been missing for two days, and we are all very worried.

Usage notes

Use 'missing' to describe something that cannot be found. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid it in highly technical discussions where specific terms are needed.

Grammar pattern

missing + object

Memory hint

Picture a 'miss' at a dart game – you aimed but it’s gone.

Collocations

  • be
  • go
  • discover somebody
  • completely
  • entirely
  • totally
  • from
  • missing in action
  • missing, presumed dead
  • be
  • go
  • discover somebody
  • completely
  • entirely
  • totally
  • from
  • missing in action
  • missing, presumed dead
  • be
  • go
  • discover somebody
  • completely
  • entirely
  • totally
  • from
  • missing in action
  • missing, presumed dead
  • be
  • go
  • discover somebody
  • completely
  • entirely
  • totally
  • from
  • missing in action
  • missing, presumed dead

Synonyms

  • lost

Antonyms

  • present
  • found
  • available

Common mistakes

  • 'Missing' used as a noun instead of an adjective.
  • Confused with 'missed' in situations involving time.
  • 'Missing' used without an object, leading to confusion.