miss
A1 (Verb), A2 (Noun - title).Neutral (verb/noun), Formal/Archaic (title).
Definition
Meaning
To fail to hit, reach, connect with, or notice something or someone.
To feel the absence or loss of someone or something; to fail to attend or be present for something (e.g., a class, event, target). Can also refer to a title for an unmarried woman or girl.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it relates to both physical failure (miss the ball) and emotional experience (miss a person). As a noun (title), usage is declining in favor of 'Ms.'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a title, 'Miss' is used similarly. As a verb, 'miss school' is common in both. Minor spelling differences in derivatives (e.g., missed, missing).
Connotations
In the UK, 'Miss' as a title can sound slightly old-fashioned or formal in some contexts. In the US, it is still standard for young, unmarried women, especially in formal or Southern contexts.
Frequency
The verb is extremely high frequency in both. The noun (title) is medium frequency, more common in formal or direct address contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + miss + Object (I miss you).Subject + miss + Gerund (I miss seeing you).Subject + miss + out + on + Object (Don't miss out on the fun).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A miss is as good as a mile”
- “Give something a miss”
- “Hit and miss (or miss and hit)”
- “Miss the boat”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We cannot afford to miss the quarterly deadline."
Academic
"The study failed to control for a key variable, thereby missing a crucial correlation."
Everyday
"I'll really miss you when you're gone."
Technical
"The radar missed the approaching object due to signal clutter."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I completely missed what he said in the meeting.
- Don't miss your hospital appointment.
- She'll miss her family terribly when she moves abroad.
American English
- He swung and missed the ball completely.
- I think you missed the turn back there.
- We're going to miss out on the early bird discount.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standalone adjective. Used in compounds: 'misshapen', 'missing'.
American English
- Not applicable as a standalone adjective. Used in compounds: 'misshapen', 'missing'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I miss my friend.
- The ball missed the window.
- Miss Smith is our teacher.
- If you leave now, you'll miss the best part of the film.
- I miss living near the beach.
- Please give my regards to Miss Jones.
- The report misses the fundamental cause of the economic crisis.
- He narrowly missed being hit by the falling debris.
- The title 'Miss' is less commonly used in professional correspondence now.
- Her analysis, while thorough, misses the subtle ideological underpinnings of the text.
- The company missed its earnings forecast, leading to a sharp drop in its share price.
- He was the missed genius of his generation, only gaining recognition posthumously.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MISS: My Intense Sadness Shows (when someone is absent).
Conceptual Metaphor
ABSENCE IS A HOLLOW SPACE ("There's a miss in my heart"). FAILURE IS A PHYSICAL MISS ("He missed the goal").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing the verb 'to miss' (скучать) with 'to lose' (терять).
- Using 'Miss' as a title (e.g., 'Miss Иванова') which is not a Russian naming convention.
- Translating 'miss the bus' literally (промахнуться мимо автобуса) instead of idiomatically (опоздать на автобус).
Common Mistakes
- "I am missing to see you" (Incorrect) vs. "I miss seeing you" (Correct).
- Using 'miss' without an object ("I miss.") in emotional sense – requires object.
- Confusing 'miss' with 'lost' ("I missed my keys" vs. "I lost my keys").
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'miss' used to mean 'fail to attend'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Miss' means to fail to hit, reach, or experience something (I missed the bus). 'Lose' means to become unable to find something you had (I lost my keys). You cannot 'miss' a possession.
Yes, but its use is evolving. It is polite when you know a woman prefers it or for young girls. In professional and unknown contexts, 'Ms.' is often preferred as it does not specify marital status.
Yes, but the verb must be in the -ing form (gerund). Example: 'I miss going for walks with you.' (Not 'I miss to go...').
It means to lose an opportunity by being too slow to act. Example: 'He missed the boat on investing in that company before its stock price soared.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Emotions and Feelings
A2 · 33 words · Words to describe how you feel.