Miss Meaning

UK /mɪs/
US /mɪs/
Word Definition
miss meaning

Miss Definition & Usage

verb

To fail to hit, catch, or reach something.

Examples

  • "He missed the bus and had to wait for the next one."
  • "I missed the target by a few inches."
  • "She missed the ball because it was too fast."
  • "They missed the opportunity to speak at the conference."
  • "I missed my flight because I arrived too late at the airport."
verb

To feel the absence of someone or something, often with a sense of longing or sadness.

Examples

  • "I miss my childhood home every day."
  • "She missed her friends after moving to a new city."
  • "He missed the old days when life was simpler."
  • "We miss having you around at family gatherings."
  • "I miss the sound of the ocean from my last vacation."
verb

To avoid or escape from something, typically unintentionally, or to fail to take advantage of an opportunity.

Examples

  • "She missed the chance to join the team due to poor timing."
  • "The car narrowly missed hitting a pedestrian."
  • "I missed the deadline for submitting my assignment."
  • "The letter missed the recipient and was returned."
  • "He missed the point of the discussion entirely."
noun

A failure to catch, hit, or reach something.

Examples

  • "It was a clear miss, the ball went right past the goalie."
  • "His swing was a miss, and the ball fell short."
  • "There was a miss in communication between the two teams."
  • "That was a miss of an opportunity I would regret for a long time."
  • "The missile made a miss, falling harmlessly into the ocean."

Cultural Context

The word 'miss' originates from Middle English and has various meanings in both physical and emotional contexts. Its usage is widespread in both British and American English, with subtle differences in context. It conveys feelings of loss, absence, and failure, which are universal human experiences.

The Missed Connection

Story

The Missed Connection

Maggie sat by the window, staring out into the pouring rain. It had been a year since she moved away from her childhood home, and every day, she missed something about it—her old room, the sound of the neighbors' laughter, the smell of rain on the garden soil. She missed her best friend Lucy, who had been with her through thick and thin. Now, Lucy was living halfway across the world, and the distance seemed to stretch further with each passing month. As Maggie reminisced, she realized there was something else she had missed—an opportunity she had let slip by. She had applied for a job abroad, one that would have allowed her to travel, to live in new places, and to explore what she'd only seen in movies. But she had missed the interview due to poor timing and a last-minute decision to skip a flight. The opportunity had passed her by, and though she could still apply again, something felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had failed herself. One day, while walking through the park, Maggie saw Lucy’s name pop up on her phone. Her heart skipped a beat. They had been out of touch for a while, but now was the time to reconnect. ‘Maggie! I miss you,’ Lucy’s voice crackled over the phone. 'How’s everything going?' Maggie smiled, feeling the warmth of the conversation despite the physical distance between them. She realized, perhaps for the first time, that missing someone didn’t have to mean regret. It could mean love, and it could be something to look forward to again. Later that day, Maggie stood in front of her computer, ready to take on the next big challenge. Though she had missed out on some things in life, she knew there was always another chance to grab hold of what she wanted. As the rain continued to fall outside, Maggie felt ready to take on whatever came next, without fear of missing out again.

The Missed Connection