1 : to fail to hit, catch, reach, or get (something) [+ obj] ▪ 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] [no obj] ▪ The batter swung and missed. ▪ She took three shots and missed every time. ▪ The shot missed badly. 2 [+ obj] 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]
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. 3 [+ obj] : to be without (something) : to lack (something) — used in the phrase be missing ▪ 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. — see also missing 4 [+ obj] 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] ▪ “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]
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. 5 [+ obj] : 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. 6 [+ obj] 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.]
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.
c : 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. 7 [+ obj] : 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] 8 [no obj] : to fail to succeed
▪ With a cast like this, the movie can't miss. [=it will definitely succeed] 9 [no obj] : misfire 1
▪ The engine missed.