miss

UK: mɪs | US: mɪs

Definition

  1. v. to fail to hit, reach, or perceive something

  2. v. to feel regret or sadness due to the absence of someone/something

  3. n. a title for an unmarried woman

  4. n. a failure to hit or catch something

Structure

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Etymology

The word "miss" originates from Old English missan, meaning "to fail to hit or reach." It shares roots with Germanic languages (e.g., Old Norse missa, "to lose"). The sense of "feeling absence" emerged later, influenced by the idea of "failing to encounter" someone. The noun form for an unmarried woman (17th century) derives from "mistress," shortened to "miss" as a neutral title.

Examples

  1. She tried to catch the ball but missed it.

  2. He misses his family while traveling abroad.

  3. "Miss Smith will be your teacher this semester."

  4. The arrow was a complete miss—it didn’t even hit the target.

  5. I miss the warm weather during winter.