What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lost
Example
I lost my keys somewhere in the house. [lost: past tense]
Example
The hiker got lost in the woods and had to call for help. [lost: adjective]
Example
The company lost a lot of money due to the pandemic. [lost: verb]
missing
Example
My phone is missing, I can't find it anywhere. [missing: adjective]
Example
The child went missing from the park and the parents were frantic. [missing: verb]
Example
The missing documents were later found in the wrong folder. [missing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Missing is more commonly used than lost in everyday language. Missing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lost is less common and refers to a specific situation where something has been misplaced or gone astray.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lost and missing?
Both lost and missing are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
