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
Earhart went missing on July 2, 1937, while attempting to become the first person to fly around the equator. — Lana Zak, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Many also fear political interference and mail ballots going missing. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Body-camera video obtained by CBS News Atlanta shows HeeHaw the donkey galloping toward officers before a Cedartown police officer shoots him during a search for a missing girl. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The assemblies also feature NFC identification, and the printer detects whether the platform is correctly installed or missing, providing another useful check before printing. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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