adj
amiss
uh-MIHS
Amiss (adj) means Wrong or out of order in some way. Example: “She sensed something was amiss the moment she walked in.”
adj
1
Wrong or out of order in some way.
"Something amiss in the arrangements had distracted the staff."
"He suspected something was amiss."
"She sensed something was amiss the moment she walked in."
adv
1
In a mistaken or improper way.
"Nothing you said was taken amiss."
How to use amiss
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to say something seems wrong or not quite right.
Common mistake
Almost always used after "something," "nothing," or "anything" — "something amiss," rarely as a standalone adjective before a noun.
Common pairings
something amiss
nothing amiss
take it amiss
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more amiss
- Superlative
- most amiss
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She sensed something was _____ the moment she walked in.
Etymology
From "a-" plus "miss," originally meaning "off target" or "astray."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “amiss” mean?
The word “amiss” means wrong or out of order in some way. In plain terms, used to say something seems wrong or not quite right.
How do you pronounce “amiss”?
“Amiss” is pronounced uh-MIHS (/əˈmɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “amiss” in a sentence?
Here is “amiss” used in a sentence: “She sensed something was amiss the moment she walked in.”
What part of speech is “amiss”?
Depending on how it is used, “amiss” can be an adjective and an adverb.
How many meanings does “amiss” have?
“Amiss” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wrong or out of order in some way.
