What is miss? Pronunciation and usage in English

miss means . Learn how to pronounce and use miss through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of miss

missverb/noun

/mɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of miss

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "miss" in English! It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced. Here's a breakdown:

Correct Pronunciation:

  • Most Common (American English): /ˈmɪs/ (rhymes with "kiss" or "dish")

    • Emphasis: The stress is on the first syllable ("MI").
    • Sounds:
      • "m": As in "mom"
      • "i": As in "bit"
      • "s": As in "sun"

  • British English: /mɪs/ (very similar to the American pronunciation, but sometimes a slightly shorter 'i' sound)

Common Mispronunciations and Why They're Wrong:

  • "mice": This is the biggest mistake! "Miss" is not plural.
  • "mish": This is a completely different word meaning a blunder.

Tips to Help You:

  1. Think of "kiss" or "dish": Using those words as a mental anchor can help you get the correct rhythm and vowel sound.

  2. Short "i" sound: The "i" in "miss" is a very short and quick "i" sound, as in "bit" or "sit." Don't draw it out.

  3. Practice saying it slowly: Say "MIss" slowly, focusing on each syllable, until you feel comfortable. Then gradually speed it up.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation again?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "miss"?

Usage and examples with the word miss in English

Let's break down how to use the word "miss" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings and uses! Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. To Feel a Sense of Absence (Most Common)

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. It describes the feeling of sadness or longing when someone or something you care about is not around.
  • Examples:
    • "I miss you!" (To someone you're away from)
    • "I miss my family when I'm traveling."
    • "I really miss that old coffee shop."
    • "She misses her dog terribly."
  • Grammar: "Miss" is usually followed by a noun (person, thing, place).

2. To Fail to Catch Something (Physical Action)

  • Meaning: To fail to catch a ball, a bus, a train, or anything else that is moving.
  • Examples:
    • "He missed the bus and was late for work."
    • "She missed the catch in the game."
    • "Don't miss the train!"
  • Grammar: "Miss" is followed by a noun (bus, catch, train, etc.).

3. To Regret an Opportunity (Formal/Literary)

  • Meaning: To regret not taking an opportunity or making a decision. This usage is a bit more formal and is common in literature and speech.
  • Examples:
    • "He missed his chance to travel the world."
    • "She missed a crucial opportunity for advancement."
    • "I missed the deadline." (Here, it expresses regret.)
  • Grammar: "Miss" is followed by a noun (chance, opportunity, deadline).

4. "Miss" as a Verb (Referring to Women – Less Common Now)

  • Meaning: Historically, “miss” as a verb referred to unmarried women. It described a woman who wasn't married. This usage is becoming outdated and can be considered polite or even offensive to use, particularly when referring to someone as “miss.”
  • Example (Older Usage): "Miss Smith is a lovely woman." (Implies she is unmarried.)
  • Important Note: It’s generally best to avoid using “miss” as a verb when referring to a woman unless you’re intentionally creating a historical or literary effect and are aware of the potential for offense. Use “Ms.” or simply her name.

Key Points and Tips:

  • Pronunciation: "Miss" is pronounced /mɪs/.
  • Contractions: It contracts to "didn't" (I didn't miss it), "won't" (I won't miss you).
  • "Forget" vs. "Miss": "Forget" means to not remember something. "Miss" means to feel a sense of longing for something or someone.

Let’s Practice!

Fill in the blank with the correct form of “miss” (to feel absence, to miss something physically, or to regret):

  1. I __________ my grandmother very much.
  2. The baseball player __________ the ball.
  3. He __________ his chance to win the competition.

Answers:

  1. miss (to feel absence)
  2. missed (to miss physically)
  3. missed (to regret)

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "miss"?
  • Explain the difference between "miss" and similar words like "lack" or "want"?

Synonyms for the word miss

Idioms of the word miss

somebody’s heart misses/skips a beat
used to say that somebody has a sudden feeling of fear, excitement, etc.
  • My heart missed a beat when I saw who it was.
he, she, etc. doesn’t miss a trick
(informal)used to say that somebody notices every opportunity to gain an advantage
    hit/miss the mark
    to succeed/fail in achieving or guessing something
    • He blushed furiously and Robyn knew she had hit the mark.
    • The film misses the mark because it just isn't believable.
    miss the boat
    (informal)to be unable to take advantage of something because you are too late
    • If you don't buy now, you may find that you've missed the boat.
    miss your guess
    (North American English, informal)to make a mistake
    • Unless I miss my guess, your computer needs a new hard drive.
    • If you miss your guess, you lose 10 points.

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