miss - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
miss Word Meanings
- failed to hit or reach something
- did not notice or attend
- expressed regret over someone's absence
miss Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
miss Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/mɪs/
US
/mɪs/
miss Word Etymology
Miss = 'to fail to hit' (Middle English) + -ed (past participle). Originated from Old French 'missier'. Imagine a dart player aiming for the bullseye but completely missing it, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I set my stance, lift the ball, and take a steady breath. I push off, aim, and watch the arc shift just enough that it misses the mark. The miss stings a little, and I adjust my grip and keep practicing, feeling the effort in my shoulders. Later I see I missed your message and the quiet room reminds me of your absence, and I regret not being there.
Real Context
Miss is a versatile English verb with several related meanings. It can mean fail to hit or reach a target, as when a ball misses the bullseye or a shot misses the mark. It can also mean fail to notice, hear, or attend to something, for example missing a turn in a story or missing an appointment. A third sense expresses regret about someone's absence, as in missing a friend who moved away or missing a family member's birthday. The past tense is missed. Miss commonly collocates with prepositions or nouns: miss the bus, miss an opportunity, miss your smile. Learners often confuse this verb with overlook or forget; keep the context clear.
Usage Reminders
- Use miss for failing to hit or reach, failing to notice, and expressing absence; avoid mixing with forget or overlook.
- Pay attention to prepositions: miss the bus, miss an opportunity, miss seeing someone.
- Use missed for past events: I missed the train, I missed your call.
- Differentiate from 'misplaced' (not in the right place) and 'miss' in emotional sense (miss someone).
- Practice with diverse scenarios to hear the tone: regret, punctuality, or precision.
- Pronounce with careful /mɪs/ to avoid confusions with 'mis' prefix words.
Common Misconceptions
- Miss only means failing to hit a target; it does not include failing to notice or failing to attend.
- Miss and forget are the same idea; they often differ in whether attention or memory is involved.
- You cannot use miss for people; you can: you can miss someone.
- Miss is never about emotions; it can express longing for someone.
- Miss the past tense only means 'missed' is the past form; it has no other irregular forms.
Thinking Differences
Miss is covered by three core senses in English; learners often overgeneralize to forget or overlook depending on whether attention, timing, or physical hitting is implicated. Context and collocations (the bus, an opportunity, a person) guide meaning more than dictionary glosses.
Learning Tips
- Create three mini-glossaries: hit/target, notice/attend, and absence/regret.
- Practice with common collocations: miss the bus, miss an opportunity, miss you.
- Contrast with forget and overlook using quick example pairs.
- Use past tense correctly: missed for events that already happened.
- Record pronunciation to distinguish 'miss' from similar words.
- Use real-life scenarios to reinforce nuances (sports, schedules, relationships).
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'miss' correctly?
A.I feel like I don't have enough time to finish my work.
B.He hit the target perfectly.
C.She never misses her school bus.
D.I always avoid eating vegetables.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'miss'?
A.Succeed
B.Achieve
C.Avoid
D.Conquer
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'miss'?
A.Achieve
B.Obtain
C.Meet
D.Hit
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context for the word 'miss'?
A.I finished the project before the deadline.
B.He caught the train on time.
C.She overslept and missed her flight.
D.They hit the bullseye with their marketing campaign.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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