miss
mihs
Miss (verb) means to fail to hit, catch, reach, or make contact with something. Example: “She swung hard but missed the ball completely.”
verb
1
To fail to hit, catch, reach, or make contact with something.
"She swung hard but missed the ball completely."
"He missed the last step and stumbled."
"The goalkeeper dived but missed the ball by a few centimetres."
2
To fail to be present for or arrive in time for something, such as a train, meeting, or deadline.
"We missed the train by two minutes."
"Don't miss the deadline for your application."
"If you miss the last bus, you will have to walk home."
3
To feel sad about the absence of someone or something you wish you still had.
"I really miss my old neighbourhood."
"He misses his sister now that she lives abroad."
"She misses the sound of the sea now that she lives inland."
4
To fail to notice, understand, or take advantage of something.
"You missed the joke entirely."
"I think we missed an obvious clue."
"It is easy to miss the small sign beside the gate."
noun
1
A failure to hit, achieve, or succeed at something.
"The shot was a clear miss."
"After a near miss in the first half, the striker finally scored."
"That was a miss, but you will hit the target next time."
2
A polite title used before the name of an unmarried woman or girl, or as a form of address.
"Good morning, Miss Carter."
"Excuse me, miss, you dropped your scarf."
"Miss Patel teaches the youngest class at our village school."
How to use miss
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither failing to reach/catch/notice something, feeling the absence of someone, or the polite title for an unmarried woman.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the title "Miss" with "Ms." — Ms. doesn't specify marital status, while Miss traditionally implies unmarried.
Common pairings
miss the point
miss out on
near miss
miss you
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Word forms
- Plural
- misses
- Third person singular
- misses
- Past tense
- missed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She swung hard but _____ the ball completely.
Etymology
From Old English missan, "to fail to hit or notice," from a Germanic root meaning "to go wrong." The title "Miss" comes from a shortened form of "mistress."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for miss
See all rhymes for miss →Frequently asked questions
What does “miss” mean?
The word “miss” means to fail to hit, catch, reach, or make contact with something. In plain terms, either failing to reach/catch/notice something, feeling the absence of someone, or the polite title for an unmarried woman.
How do you pronounce “miss”?
“Miss” is pronounced mihs (/mɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “miss” in a sentence?
Here is “miss” used in a sentence: “She swung hard but missed the ball completely.”
What is the opposite of “miss”?
The opposite of “miss” — its antonyms — are hit, strike, impinge on, run into and collide with.
What part of speech is “miss”?
Depending on how it is used, “miss” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “miss” come from?
The word “miss” comes from Old English. From Old English missan, "to fail to hit or notice," from a Germanic root meaning "to go wrong." The title "Miss" comes from a shortened form of "mistress.".
Is “miss” a common word?
“Miss” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “miss” have?
“Miss” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fail to hit, catch, reach, or make contact with something.
What is the opposite of 'miss'?
In the sense of failing to make contact, the opposite of miss is "hit," "catch," or "reach," depending on the action. If you throw a ball and miss, you fail to hit the target; if you hit or catch it, you have succeeded. The right opposite depends on what you were aiming to do.
What is an example of 'miss' in a sentence?
"She swung at the ball but missed" shows the verb: she failed to make contact. Other examples include missing a train, meaning failing to reach it in time, missing a target, meaning failing to hit it, or missing a catch. Each involves a failed attempt to make contact with something.
What is the difference between 'miss' and 'skip'?
To miss something is to fail to hit, catch, or reach it, usually unintentionally, as when you miss the bus because you were late. To skip something is to leave it out on purpose. Missing implies a failed attempt, while skipping implies a deliberate choice to avoid or omit something.
Does 'miss' always mean a mistake?
Not exactly. In this sense, missing means failing to hit, catch, or reach something, which is often accidental, like a missed shot or a missed train. It signals a failed attempt rather than a moral error, though it can imply a lost opportunity, as in missing your chance to act.
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