go missing

1 of 3

phrase

chiefly British : to become lost : disappear

missing

2 of 3

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmi-siŋ How to pronounce missing (audio)
1
: absent
a missing tooth
also : lost
my keys are missing
—sometimes used in the phrase go missing
My keys have gone missing.
2
: needed or expected but not included
It's a good sauce, but something is missing.
see also:
go missing

missing

3 of 3

present participle of miss entry 1

Synonyms of go missing

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of go missing in a Sentence

Adjective The new director has provided the missing ingredient that was needed for the show's success. the missing socks turned up in the dog's special hiding place
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Phrase
After going missing on the North Side of Chicago all those years ago, Antonino spent months looking for her beloved companion, ultimately to no avail. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Last month, the United Nations refugee agency said nearly 150 people died or went missing from boats off Mauritania attempting to go to Europe. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Families covered hospital walls with posters showing missing relatives, photographs and contact numbers in a desperate appeal for any clue that could bring them home. — Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026 Nepal's disaster authority said 781 people had died, with 2,502 missing and Chinese officials added that 16 people had died with 546 missing. — James Powel, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for go missing

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1845, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of go missing was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing go missing

Rhymes for go missing

See All Rhymes for go missing

Browse Nearby Words

gom-gom
go missing
gommier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Go missing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20missing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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