Language Research

miss · verb

/mɪs/Full view

Word family

Nouns: miss

Adjectives: missing

Verbs: miss

miss (NOT GO)

A2 T to not go to something

Dictionary examples:

You'll fall behind in your studies if you keep missing school.

I missed my class this morning.

He missed the office party.

Learner example:

You only missed the best party of the year! (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

miss (FEEL SAD)

A2 T to feel sad about someone that you do not see now or something that you do not have or do now

Dictionary examples:

I really missed her when she went away.

She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

I still miss my old car.

What did you miss most about England when you were living in France?

I really miss cycling.

Learner example:

I miss you a lot. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

miss (TOO LATE)

A2 T to arrive too late to get on a bus, train, aircraft, etc.

Dictionary example:

You'll miss your train if you don't hurry up.

Learner example:

Even if we missed the train, I was happy and this was the most important thing. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

miss a chance/opportunity

B1 to not use an opportunity to do something

Dictionary example:

You can't afford to miss a chance like this.

Learner example:

[It's] the most important tennis competi[t]ion in my town, and I can't miss this opportunity. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

miss (AVOID)

B1 T to avoid doing or experiencing something

Dictionary example:

You should leave early if you want to miss the rush hour.

Learner example:

If you want to have [a] nice time, you [should] leave the hotel early in the morning because in this way you [will] miss the rush-hour traffic. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)

miss (NOT SEE/HEAR)

B1 T to not see or hear something

Dictionary examples:

Sorry, I missed that, could you repeat it please?

We missed the first five minutes of the movie.

My office is first on the right with a bright red door. You can't miss it.

Learner example:

First of all, the Festival began on time at midday with King Cup. Maybe you might have missed that part. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

miss (FAIL TO DO)

B2 T to fail to do something at the correct time or to be too late to do something or see something or someone

Dictionary examples:

I wanted to see that movie but I missed it.

Helen? I'm sorry, you just missed her.

Learner example:

I missed the dinner I was going to have with my best friend in London. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

miss (NOT HIT)

B2 I or T to not hit or catch something as you intended

Dictionary examples:

It should have been such an easy goal and he missed.

He threw a book at me, but it missed.

The bullet missed his heart by a couple of centimeters.

Learner example:

He aimed for the heart, and, when he was about to fire, an innocent pigeon landed on his rifle. Paul wasn't expecting this, and his shot missed the judge. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

miss the boat

C2 to be too late to do or get something

Dictionary example:

I'm afraid you've missed the boat. The concert tickets have sold out.

Learner example:

What if she never had another chance? What if she missed the boat? Overcome by the anxiety and the lack of sleep, the first thing she did in the morning was to pick up two of her best poems [and] put them in an envelope. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

miss out

B2 to not do or have something that you would enjoy or something that other people do or have

Dictionary example:

I got to the party too late and missed out on all the fun.

Learner example:

They don't know what they are missing out on. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)