Miss Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2023)

Table of Contents
miss a beat miss its/the mark miss out miss the boat miss the forest for the trees never/not miss a trick give (something) a miss Videos

1 miss

/ˈmɪs/

verb

misses;

missed;

missing

1 miss

/ˈmɪs/

verb

misses;

missed;

missing

Britannica Dictionary definition of MISS

1

:

to fail to hit, catch, reach, or get (something)

[+ object]

  • miss a target

  • He swung and missed the ball completely.

  • The shot missed the goal by inches.

  • miss a putt

  • They (just/barely) missed the deadline.

  • The team missed the play-offs last year. [=the team failed to qualify for the play-offs]

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[no object]

  • The batter swung and missed.

  • She took three shots and missed every time.

  • The shot missed badly.

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2

[+ object]

a

:

to fail to use (something, such as an opportunity)

  • I would hate to miss this opportunity.

  • She could have joined us, but she missed her chance.

  • This opportunity is too good to miss. [=so good that no one would want to fail to use it]

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b

:

to fail to do, take, make, or have (something)

  • The driver was so distracted that he missed the turn. [=he failed to turn when he should have]

  • They missed a payment on their car loan.

  • miss a tackle

  • She missed her medication.

  • He was in such a hurry that he missed breakfast.

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3

[+ object]

:

to be without (something)

:

to lack (something)

— used in the phrase be missing

(Video) Miss Meaning

  • He was missing one of his front teeth. [=he did not have one of his front teeth; one of his front teeth was missing]

  • The old house is missing some of its windows.

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— see also missing

4

[+ object]

a

:

to fail to be present for (something)

  • She missed three days of school when she was sick.

  • miss a class

  • He hasn't missed a day's work in years.

  • This is an event you won't want to miss. = This is an event that is not to be missed. [=that you should experience]

    See Also
    Learn the Difference Between Miss, Mrs., and Ms., and Mx.

  • “Are you going to their wedding?” “Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world.” [=I would not consider not going; I will definitely go]

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b

:

to arrive too late for (something or someone)

  • He missed his train.

  • I missed the flight/connection by only a few minutes.

  • She was delayed in traffic and missed her appointment.

  • You just missed him—he left five minutes ago.

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5

[+ object]

:

to notice or feel the absence of (someone or something)

  • I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you.

  • She left quietly, and it was a while before she was missed. [=before anyone noticed that she had left]

  • We miss our old friends. [=we feel sad because we are not near our old friends]

  • I miss being home at Christmas. [=I am sad not to be home at Christmas]

  • You'll be (sorely/much) missed when you retire.

  • He misses his wife terribly.

  • I miss the old neighborhood.

  • I didn't miss my bag [=I didn't notice that my bag was missing] until I got to the car.

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6

[+ object]

a

:

to fail to understand (something)

  • You missed the main point of the story.

  • You're missing my point.

  • Am I missing something?

  • She doesn't miss a thing. [=she understands everything that is being said, that is happening, etc.]

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b

:

to fail to hear or learn about (something)

  • Here's the latest news, in case you missed it.

  • I'm sorry, but I missed the first part of what you said.

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c

(Video) Mrs Meaning

:

to fail to see or notice (something or someone)

  • It's a big white building on the corner—you can't miss it. [=it is impossible not to see/notice it]

  • As the only woman in the race, she was hard to miss.

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7

[+ object]

:

to avoid (something)

  • Her car skidded off the road and barely missed hitting a telephone pole.

  • He just missed being seriously hurt. [=he was almost seriously hurt]

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8

[no object]

:

to fail to succeed

  • With a cast like this, the movie can't miss. [=it will definitely succeed]

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9

[no object]

:

misfire 1

  • The engine missed.

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miss a beat

— see 2beat

miss its/the mark

— see 1mark

miss out

[phrasal verb]

1

:

to lose an opportunity

:

to be unable to have or enjoy something

  • It's too bad you weren't able to come with us. You really missed out.

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— often + on

  • You really missed out on a good time.

  • If you don't act now you could miss out on a great opportunity.

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2

miss out (someone or something)

or

miss (someone or something) out

(Video) Master's degree Definition & Meaning Dictionary USA 2022 | Teach and trick

British

:

to leave (someone or something) out

:

omit

  • You've missed out the most important fact!

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miss the boat

— see 1boat

miss the forest for the trees

— see tree

never/not miss a trick

— see 1trick

2 miss

/ˈmɪs/

noun

plural

misses

2 miss

/ˈmɪs/

noun

plural

misses

Britannica Dictionary definition of MISS

[count]

1

:

a failure to hit something

  • She hit the target five straight times without a miss.

  • His first shot was a bad miss.

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2

:

a failure to reach a desired goal or result

  • Her movies have been a mixture of hits and misses. [=some have been successful and some have not]

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— see also hit-and-miss, near miss

give (something) a miss

chiefly British, informal

:

to choose not to do (something) or go (somewhere)

  • I had so much else to do that I decided to give the party a miss.

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— compare 3miss

3 miss

(Video) Dictionary Definitions Citing both In Text and Works Cited Page

/ˈmɪs/

noun

plural

misses

3 miss

/ˈmɪs/

noun

plural

misses

Britannica Dictionary definition of MISS

1

Miss

a

— used as a title before the name of an unmarried woman or girl

  • Miss Jones

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— compare mrs., ms.

b

— used as a title before the name of a married woman who does not use her husband's name

  • Miss Bette Davis

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c

— used as part of a title for a girl or young woman who has won a contest (such as a beauty contest) and who represents the place or thing indicated

  • Miss America

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d

British

— used by children as a way to address a female teacher

2

a

— used as a polite way to address a girl or young woman

  • Can I help you, miss?

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b

[count]

old-fashioned

:

a girl or young woman

  • a talented young miss

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3

misses

[plural]

US

:

a clothing size for women of average height and weight

— usually used before another noun

  • misses dresses

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(Video) This Man Can Pronounce Every Word in the Dictionary

— compare 2miss

Videos

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