Cool MateLost vs Missing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Lost
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Missing
Top 2,000 (common)A2adjective
Most common: Lost
| Lost | Missing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/lɒst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/lɔːst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not knowing where something is. | Not present or lost. |
| Example | I felt lost in the new city without a map. | She was missing her keys and couldn't find them anywhere. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, get, completely, hopelessly, be, feel, look, completely, totally, very, be, feel, look, completely, totally, very | 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 |
| Antonyms | found, discovered | present, found, available |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'loosed' (to make loose), Using 'loss' incorrectly as a verb, Saying 'losted' instead of 'lost' | 'Missing' used as a noun instead of an adjective., Confused with 'missed' in situations involving time., 'Missing' used without an object, leading to confusion. |
| Usage notes | Use 'lost' when someone can't find their way or something is missing. It's appropriate in both casual and formal situations. Avoid it in very specific technical contexts. | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Lost vs Missing
What's the difference between Lost and Missing?
Lost: Not knowing where something is. Missing: Not present or lost.
Which is more common: Lost and Missing?
Lost is the most common in everyday English.
Are Lost and Missing the same CEFR level?
Lost: A2, Missing: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Lost and Missing interchangeably?
Not always. Lost and Missing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.