missing
UK: ˈmɪsɪŋ | US: ˈmɪsɪŋ
adj. not present or able to be found
adj. lacking or absent
v. (present participle of "miss") failing to hit, reach, or perceive something
The word "missing" originates from the Old English missan, meaning "to fail to hit or reach." The suffix -ing forms the present participle, indicating an ongoing state or action. Over time, "missing" evolved to describe both the act of failing to attain something (e.g., "missing a target") and the state of being absent (e.g., "a missing person"). The dual meaning reflects the logical connection between physical absence and the failure to perceive or obtain.
The missing keys were finally found under the couch.
She felt a sense of missing her hometown after moving abroad.
The detective searched for the missing documents.
His shot went wide, missing the goal by inches.
The report highlighted the missing data in the study.