missing
9 synonyms and 1 antonym for missing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not able to be found; gone from where it should be.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
unaccounted for
nowhere to be found
Antonyms
How to use missing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
missing person
go missing
missing piece
Etymology
By surface analysis, this is miss + -ing.
Full origin of missing →Frequently asked questions
What does “missing” mean?
The word “missing” means not able to be found; gone from where it should be. In plain terms, not where it should be — lost, absent, or unaccounted for.
How do you pronounce “missing”?
“Missing” is pronounced MIH-sihng (/ˈmɪsɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “missing” in a sentence?
Here is “missing” used in a sentence: “My keys have gone missing again.”
What part of speech is “missing”?
“Missing” is an adjective.
Is “missing” a common word?
“Missing” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “missing” have?
“Missing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not able to be found; gone from where it should be.
What is the difference between missing and lost?
"Lost" usually means someone or something cannot find its way or has been mislaid, often hinting at who is responsible ("I lost my keys"). "Missing" simply states that something is not where it should be and cannot be found, without saying why. A missing person is absent and unaccounted for; a lost person has strayed.
What is an example of something missing?
A puzzle with a missing piece, a library book that is not on its shelf, or a person who has not been seen and cannot be located. In each case the thing is gone from where it should be and cannot be found — which is exactly what "missing" describes.
Does missing mean the same as gone?
They are close but not identical. "Gone" simply means no longer present or used up. "Missing" adds that the absence is unexpected and the item cannot be found — it should be there but isn't. Something can be gone on purpose, but missing usually implies it has disappeared without explanation.
