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Miss: meaning, definitions and examples

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miss

 

[mɪs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

to feel sad or disappointed because someone or something is not here or not happening

Synonyms

long for, pine for, yearn for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
miss

Use 'miss' when you talk about feeling sad or incomplete without someone or something. It's a common word and used in everyday conversations.

  • I miss you a lot, come back soon.
  • She misses her hometown every day.
long for

Use 'long for' when you emphasize a strong, enduring desire or wish for someone or something that is far away or difficult to obtain. It sounds more formal and poetic.

  • He longs for the days when they were together.
  • She longs for freedom and adventure.
yearn for

Use 'yearn for' when you want to express an intense, emotional longing or craving for something. It's often used in a more dramatic or romantic context.

  • They yearn for a better life.
  • He yearns for her touch every day.
pine for

Use 'pine for' to describe a deep, intense feeling of longing, often with a sense of sadness or suffering. It can feel antiquated or literary.

  • She pined for her lost love for years.
  • The poet pined for the beauty of nature.

Examples of usage

  • She misses her family when she is away.
  • I miss the days when we used to be together.
  • He will miss his friends when he moves to a new city.
Context #2 | Noun

mistake

a mistake or failure to do something

Synonyms

blunder, error, mistake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
miss

When something or someone is not present, or when you fail to reach or hit a target or goal. 'Miss' doesn't necessarily imply a lack of skill, just an unsuccessful attempt.

  • She might miss the train if she doesn't leave now
  • I miss my old friends a lot
mistake

A general term for a wrong action or statement, either intentional or unintentional. 'Mistake' is less formal than 'error' and more general than 'blunder'.

  • I made a mistake in the calculation
  • It was clearly a mistake to trust him
error

Commonly used in formal contexts such as technical, academic, or professional environments, referring to a deviation from correctness or accuracy. 'Error' is a neutral term but can imply a fault in judgment or process.

  • The IT department found an error in the code
  • Her paper had several factual errors
blunder

When a significant and often embarrassing mistake is made, usually due to carelessness or a lack of skill. 'Blunder' often has a somewhat severe or negative connotation.

  • The diplomat made a huge blunder during the speech
  • It was a major blunder to forget the client's name

Examples of usage

  • It was a costly miss.
  • The player's miss cost them the game.
Context #3 | Noun

young woman

used as a title before the name of a young unmarried woman

Synonyms

Ms., maiden, young woman.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
miss

This term is often used as a polite way to address an unmarried woman, especially in formal situations like at a store or a restaurant.

  • Excuse me, miss, can you help me find this item?
  • Miss Jones will be handling your case.
Ms.

This honorific is used when one wants to address an adult woman without specifying her marital status. It's more common in professional and formal contexts.

  • Ms. Adams is the new project manager.
  • Please send the report to Ms. Thompson.
young woman

This neutral term is used to describe a woman who is in her late teens to early thirties. It doesn’t carry any connotations about marital status and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • She is a young woman with many ambitions.
  • The young woman at the reception was very helpful.
maiden

This is an old-fashioned term that refers to a young, unmarried woman. It is rarely used in modern everyday conversation but can be found in literature, historical texts, or when discussing traditions.

  • The knight promised to rescue the fair maiden.
  • In the festival, each village would send a maiden to represent them.

Examples of usage

  • Miss Thompson is a talented singer.
  • Please welcome Miss Johnson to the stage.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word has roots in Old English, where 'missan' meant to fail to hit or to fail to achieve.
  • The modern usage evolved from the sense of losing something or failing to capture it.
  • In Latin, a similar concept can be found in the word 'miserere,' meaning to be sad or to regret.

Psychology

  • Missing someone can trigger emotional responses, often linked to attachment theory.
  • The experience is associated with nostalgia, causing people to reminisce about past experiences.
  • Studies show that the feeling of missing someone can activate brain areas related to longing and reward.

Pop Culture

  • The song 'Miss You' by The Rolling Stones explores themes of longing and desire.
  • In movies, characters often express their grief or sadness through the feeling of missing someone they loved.
  • Television shows frequently depict characters reuniting after long periods apart, highlighting the emotional weight of missing someone.

Literature

  • In literary works, the theme of missing often symbolizes loss and longing, as seen in novels like 'The Great Gatsby'.
  • Poetry often uses the feeling of missing to express deep emotional connections and the pain of separation.
  • Classic stories often depict characters pining for lost love, showcasing the emotional toll of absence.

Education

  • Children often learn about friendships and emotions through storytelling, relating to the concept of missing friends.
  • Understanding the feeling of missing is crucial in emotional intelligence and developing empathy in young learners.
  • Activities in classrooms often include discussions about missing loved ones, helping students express their feelings in a safe space.

Translations

Translations of the word "miss" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sentir falta

🇮🇳 याद करना

🇩🇪 vermissen

🇮🇩 merindukan

🇺🇦 сумувати

🇵🇱 tęsknić

🇯🇵 恋しい

🇫🇷 manquer

🇪🇸 extrañar

🇹🇷 özlemek

🇰🇷 그리워하다

🇸🇦 اشتاق

🇨🇿 postrádat

🇸🇰 chýbať

🇨🇳 想念

🇸🇮 pogrešati

🇮🇸 sakna

🇰🇿 сағыну

🇬🇪 მონატრება

🇦🇿 darıxmaq

🇲🇽 extrañar

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,639, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.