Cool MateIs lost vs Missing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Is lost
Top 1,000 (very common)
Missing
Top 2,000 (common)A2adjective
Most common: Is lost
| Is lost | Missing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪz lɒst//🇺🇸 //ɪz lɔst// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | cannot be found | Not present or lost. |
| Example | After the storm, many hikers realized that one of them is lost. | 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 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | is lost in thought, is lost to time, is lost at sea | 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, located | present, found, available |
| Common mistakes | 'Is loss' used instead of 'is lost', 'Lost' confused with 'lose' as a verb, 'Is lost' used for inanimate objects only, forgetting living beings can be lost too | '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 | Used when something cannot be located. Not appropriate for personal feelings; for example, 'He is lost' can mean lost in a place or feeling confused. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Is lost vs Missing
What's the difference between Is lost and Missing?
Is lost: cannot be found Missing: Not present or lost.
Which is more common: Is lost and Missing?
Is lost is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Is lost: After the storm, many hikers realized that one of them is lost. Missing: She was missing her keys and couldn't find them anywhere.
Can I use Is lost and Missing interchangeably?
Not always. Is 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.