First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1miss
verb \ˈmis\
: to fail to hit, catch, reach, or get (something)
: to fail to use (something, such as an opportunity)
: to fail to do, take, make, or have (something)
Full Definition of MISS
transitive verb
1
: to fail to hit, reach, or contact <miss the target>
2
: to discover or feel the absence of
3
: to fail to obtain
5
: to leave out : omit
6
: to fail to comprehend, sense, or experience <missed the point of the speech>
7
: to fail to perform or attend <had to miss school for a week>
intransitive verb
1
archaic : to fail to get, reach, or do something
2
: to fail to hit something
3
a : to be unsuccessful b : misfire <the engine missed>
— miss·able \ˈmi-sə-bəl\ adjective
— miss a beat
: to deviate from regular smooth performance <the company changed ownership without missing a beat>
— miss out on
: to lose a good opportunity for <missed out on a better job>
— miss the boat
: to fail to take advantage of an opportunity
See miss defined for English-language learners
See miss defined for kids
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Origin of MISS
Middle English, from Old English missan; akin to Old High German missan to miss
Related to MISS
- Antonyms
- attend, show up (for)
2miss
noun
Definition of MISS
1
chiefly dialect : disadvantage or regret resulting from loss <we know the miss of you, and even hunger … to see you — Samuel Richardson>
2
a : a failure to hit b : a failure to attain a desired result
3
: misfire
First Known Use of MISS
12th century
3miss
noun
Definition of MISS
1
capitalized a —used as a title prefixed to the name of an unmarried woman or girl b —used before the name of a place or of a line of activity or before some epithet to form a title for a usually young unmarried female who is representative of the thing indicated <Miss America>
2
: young lady —used without a name as a conventional term of address to a young woman
3
: a young unmarried woman or girl
4
plural : a clothing size for women of average height and build
Origin of MISS
short for mistress
First Known Use: 1667
Miss
abbreviation
Definition of MISS
MISS A BEAT Defined for Kids
1miss
verb \ˈmis\
missedmiss·ing
Definition of MISS for Kids
1
: to fail to hit, catch, reach, or get <miss a target> <miss a deadline>
2
: 1escape 2 <She just missed being hit by the car.>
3
: to fail to arrive in time for <Don't miss the bus!>
4
: to feel or notice the absence of <I'm enjoying the trip, but I miss my friends.>
5
: to fail to take <I missed my turn.> <Don't miss this opportunity.>
6
: to fail to be present for <miss school>
7
: to fail to hear or see <I missed what he said.> <It's huge. You can't miss it.>
2miss
noun
Definition of MISS for Kids
: failure to hit or catch
3miss
noun
Definition of MISS for Kids
1
cap —used as a title before the name of an unmarried woman <Miss Smith>
2
: young lady Hint:Miss is used without a name as a form of polite address to a girl or young woman. <Do you need some help, miss?>
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