Meaning of Word
Miss has several meanings depending on context, but it generally refers to failing to hit, reach, or catch something, or to feel the absence of someone or something. It can also be used as a title for an unmarried woman.
Definitions and Meaning in English
- To fail to hit or catch – To not reach or make contact with something intended.
- To feel the absence of – To experience longing or sadness due to the absence of someone or something.
- To fail to attend or notice – To not be present at an event or to overlook something.
- A title for an unmarried woman – A polite form of address used for young women, or for women who are not married.
- To fail to reach or attain – To not succeed in achieving a goal, target, or objective.
History and Origin
The word “miss” originates from the Old French “misse,” derived from the Latin “missa,” which means “dismissed” or “sent away.” Over time, the word evolved to describe the act of failing to make contact with something or the feeling of loss due to absence. The title “Miss” has been in use since the 17th century as a form of respectful address for young, unmarried women.
Detailed Explanation
Miss is a versatile word with different meanings:
- As a verb, it often refers to the act of failing to make contact with a target or failing to experience something, such as missing a bus or missing a person.
- Emotionally, “miss” refers to the feeling of absence or longing, such as missing a friend or family member.
- As a title, “Miss” is a traditional honorific used to address a young unmarried woman, often before her name or surname.
- In a broader sense, miss can also mean to fail to notice or attend to something important, such as missing an opportunity or missing a detail in a conversation.
Example Sentences
- I missed the bus by just a few seconds.
- She missed her family terribly after moving abroad for work.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to see that movie; it’s great!
- He missed the mark with his presentation, failing to capture the audience’s attention.
- I’ve missed you so much; it’s been so long since we last saw each other.
- He missed out on the promotion because he didn’t meet the required qualifications.
- “Miss” is used as a polite form of address for an unmarried woman.
- I miss my old friends from school; we don’t talk as often now.
- You missed a key detail in the report that could have changed the outcome.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Fail – To not succeed in reaching a goal or making contact with something.
- Overlook – To not notice or see something that is important or relevant.
- Long for – To feel a deep desire or sadness due to the absence of someone or something.
- Skip – To omit or pass over something, such as missing a class or an event.
- Neglect – To fail to pay attention to something, often resulting in missing out on an opportunity.
Related Words with Short Explanation
- Absent – Not present in a place or situation, closely related to missing something or someone.
- Loss – The feeling of missing someone or something due to its absence.
- Sorrow – A feeling of sadness, often associated with missing someone or something.
- Void – A feeling of emptiness or the absence of something, similar to missing.
- Missed opportunity – A chance that was not taken or was overlooked, leading to a sense of loss.
More Matches with Short Explanation
- Missed call – A phone call that was not answered or received.
- Missed chance – An opportunity that was not seized or acted upon.
- Miss the point – To fail to understand the main idea or purpose of something.
- Miss out – To fail to take part in or experience something enjoyable or valuable.
- Miss the boat – To fail to take advantage of an opportunity, often due to delay or inaction.
Antonyms
- Catch – To successfully make contact with or reach something, the opposite of miss.
- Attend – To be present at an event, in contrast to missing it.
- Notice – To observe or become aware of something, opposite of missing it.
- Succeed – To achieve or accomplish something, unlike missing the target or goal.
- Gain – To acquire or obtain something, the opposite of missing out on it.
