Amiss

/əˈmɪs/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.

Something feels amiss in this situation; I can't quite put my finger on it.

Wrong; faulty.

The equipment was working fine until something went amiss.

adverb

In a mistaken or faulty way.

He must have interpreted the instructions amiss, as he took the wrong turn.

Wrongly.

I've done it amiss, and now I need to start over.

Middle English, from the phrase 'a miss', meaning 'amiss' or 'at a loss'.

Something is amiss

There is something wrong or not as it should be.

Amiss in the works

Indicating that there are issues in the process or plan.

miss

To fail to hit, reach, or come in contact with.

mistake

An action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.

Off base

Her initial thought was way off base; something was definitely amiss.

Out of whack

When the machine isn't working right, you know something is out of whack.