ENGLISH
REFERENCE

MIA

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmiə// mia

adj. Stands for missing in action. It is used when you are expected to be somewhere but are not. It is often used when someone disappears or stops answering their phone.

adj. Abbreviation for missing in action. Originally a military designation for personnel whose status is unknown, it is now used figuratively for anyone absent without explanation. Functions as a postpositive adjective or a subject complement.


SIMPLE

My keys have gone MIA again.

CONTEXTUAL

We were supposed to meet for lunch, but my brother has gone completely MIA and isn't answering his phone.

COMPLEX

The star striker went MIA during the second half of the championship game, failing to register a single shot on goal despite his team's dominance.

Usage

Typically follows the verb 'go' or 'be'; rarely used before a noun.

Pitfall

He is a MIA personHe is MIAMIA is almost always used as a predicative adjective after a verb like 'be' or 'go', rather than before a noun.

© 2026 English Reference