missing - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
missing Word Meanings
- Absent or not present at a location
- Not supplied or known, such as missing data or information
- In phrases like missing piece or missing link, something needed but not yet found
missing Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
missing Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈmɪsɪŋ/
US
/ˈmɪsɪŋ/
missing Word Etymology
Root decomposition: miss + -ing; base verb miss means to fail to hit or to omit. Origin: from Old English mīsan (to miss), related to Proto-Germanic *misan-; the -ing suffix turns it into the present participle missing. Memory image: picture a target and an arrow that misses the bullseye, and the word missing slips away like a note you forgot.
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 InputReal Context
Missing is an adjective you use when something is not where it should be or is not available at the expected place. It can describe a person who is absent, a file or data that is not present or has not been supplied, or information that you cannot find. In everyday speech it often appears in phrases like missing person, missing piece, or missing link, implying that something essential is still needed or unknown. The word carries a sense of absence that matters; it can contrast with present, found, or available. Its origin comes from miss, meaning to fail to hit or omit, plus the -ing form.
Usage Reminders
- - Use missing for things that are not present when they should be.
- - Distinguish missing from absent, lost, or unknown.
- - Pair with phrases like missing piece, missing link, missing person.
- - Be precise about what is missing and why it matters.
- - In data contexts, remember 'data is missing' (uncountable) vs 'a missing data point'.
Common Misconceptions
- Missing always means someone intentionally chose not to provide something.
- Missing is the same as absent in every situation.
- Data is always singular, so 'a missing data' is correct.
- Missing cannot describe people.
- Using missing with non-identifiable things is always correct.
Thinking Differences
English speakers often map missing to a concrete absence at a location or a specific piece of information; learners may mix it with absent, lost, or unavailable, especially in data contexts.
Learning Tips
- Create a taxonomy: missing piece, missing link, missing data, missing person.
- Compare with absent, lost, unavailable in short side-by-side examples.
- Use real-world notices (emails, forms) to spot missing items.
- Practice with data contexts, noting whether data is singular or plural.
- Record common collocations to build natural phrasing.
- Check whether the missing thing affects value, not just location.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'missing' mean?
A.Not present or not found
B.Too large or oversized
C.Full of energy
D.Visible and clear
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'missing' correctly?
A.He is missing a fast runner.
B.The sky was missing yesterday.
C.The cat is missing from the yard.
D.She missed her opportunity to go.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'missing'?
A.discovered
B.found
C.lost
D.present
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'missing'?
A.lost
B.absent
C.present
D.hidden
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context involving something that is not found?
A.The teacher noticed that one of the students was not in class.
B.He was glad to find the keys.
C.She kept looking for her wallet, which she couldn't locate.
D.The package has not arrived yet.
Related Listening
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