missing / missed (adjs) = lost / cannot be found
When missing and missed are used as adjectives, they behave like present and past participles, e.g missing pages are pages that are missing, a missed opportunity is an opportunity that has been missed. Note also that missing is often placed after the noun it qualifies, rather than in front of it. Compare the following:
The weather cleared. We should have climbed the mountain. It was a missed opportunity.
They were unable to complete the jigsaw as several pieces were missing.
Did you know there are five pages missing from this book? It goes from 32 to 43.
My name was missing from the list of participants but it was clear that I had enrolled.
Ten people are known to have died in the blast and a further fifteen are still missing.
Did you know you've got a button missing from your blue shirt?
She has been missing for over six months and has now been placed on the missing persons register.
Note that in this last example we talk about a missing person or a missing persons register, rather than missing people or a missing peoples register, to emphasize the individuality of people who have left home and it is not known whether they are alive or dead.
miss in idioms
Note also idiomatic usage in the following expressions:
He didn't have all the advantages of a proper education and really missed out.
Growing asparagus is very difficult and can be a very hit-and-miss affair.
There have been several near misses between planes landing at this airport recently.
He's failed his exams again and I think he has missed the boat as far as higher education is concerned.
I think I've missed a trick here in failing to consult my accountant about tax returns.
I think I'll give the book signing ceremony a miss. What about you? ~ No, I'm going.
They came fourth in the league and missed promotion by only one point, but as the old saying goes: a miss is as good as a mile.
miss out on something = miss an opportunity that you would clearly benefit from
hit and miss / hit or miss = sometimes very successful, sometimes not
near miss = when something is nearly hit by e.g. a vehicle or a bomb
miss the boat = miss an opportunity which will probably not arise again
miss a trick = fail to take advantage of an opportunity
give something a miss = to avoid it
a miss is as good as a mile = a failure is a failure by however small an amount
NB1 Miss can be used as an alternative to Ms placed in front of the name of an unmarried woman when the person concerned wishes it to be known that she is single.
NB2 Miss Right or Mr Right can be used as expressions to describe a woman or man who is regarded as an ideal marriage partner:
He was looking for the perfect Miss Right and had some difficulty in finding her!
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