AMISS

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does amiss mean? 

• AMISS (adjective)
  The adjective AMISS has 1 sense:

1. not functioning properly

  Familiarity information: AMISS used as an adjective is very rare.

• AMISS (adverb)
  The adverb AMISS has 3 senses:

1. away from the correct or expected course

2. in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner

3. in an imperfect or faulty way

  Familiarity information: AMISS used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AMISS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not functioning properly

Synonyms:

amiss; awry; haywire; wrong

Context example:

something is wrong with the engine

Similar:

malfunctioning; nonfunctional (not performing or able to perform its regular function)

• AMISS (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Away from the correct or expected course

Synonyms:

amiss; awry

Context example:

something went badly amiss in the preparations

Sense 2

Meaning:

In an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner

Context example:

no one took it amiss when she spoke frankly

Sense 3

Meaning:

In an imperfect or faulty way

Synonyms:

amiss; imperfectly

Context example:

Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practiced more

 Context examples 

It didn't take particular panda expertise to know that something was amiss when we'd come upon horse-affected bamboo patches.

(Belly up to the bamboo buffet: Pandas vs. horses, NSF)

If this didn’t apply to you, it means that the new moon that appeared October 27 tested the condition of a certain friendship and found nothing amiss.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

As it was, there was little amiss beyond the wreck of the main-sail.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Come,” said the lawyer, “I see you have some good reason, Poole; I see there is something seriously amiss. Try to tell me what it is.”

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“What is amiss with the song then? How has it offended your babyship?”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Have you noticed anything amiss with them of late?

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The candle in his hand shone upon his eager, stooping face, and told me at a glance that something was amiss.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This was her as now asked what it was that had gone so much amiss.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I knew, also, that weapons would not come in amiss, and I re-entered Wolf Larsen’s state-room to get his rifle and shot-gun.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Why, Roddy, what’s amiss now?

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)