amiss

/ə'mis/

Definition

Adjective:
- Not functioning properly; wrong or out of order: Used to describe a situation where something is not as it should be, often implying a fault or problem.
- Not suitable or appropriate; faulty: Describes something that is incorrect or flawed.
Adverb:
- In an imperfect, faulty, or incorrect manner: Describes an action done wrongly or poorly.
- In an improper, mistaken, or unfortunate way: Indicates an action that is inappropriate or based on error.
- Out of the proper or expected course; awry: Describes a situation that has deviated from the intended plan.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- The mechanic said something was amiss with the car's transmission.
- A sense that something was amiss kept her awake all night.
Adverb:
- He judged amiss when he accused her without evidence.
- The plan went amiss due to unforeseen weather conditions.
- She spoke amiss and later apologized for her harsh words.

Advanced Usage

"To take something amiss": To be offended or upset by something said or done.
- I hope you won't take it amiss if I offer some constructive criticism.
"Nothing comes amiss to someone": Nothing is unwelcome or unsuitable for a person; they can use or accept anything.
- He's so resourceful that nothing comes amiss to him in a crisis.
"To come amiss": To be unwelcome or inappropriate at a particular time.
- A word of thanks would not come amiss right now.

Variants and Related Words

Awry (adj/adv): Out of the normal or correct position; wrong. Often used similarly to "amiss" when things go wrong.
- Our carefully laid plans went awry.

Synonyms

Related Phrases

Go amiss: To fail or go wrong.
- I hope nothing goes amiss during the important presentation.
Find amiss: To find fault with something.
- Could you find anything amiss with his argument?

Related Idioms

Not amiss: Fairly good; acceptable; not bad. (Often used in a slightly old-fashioned or understated way).
- A cup of tea would be not amiss on a cold evening.
- His performance was not amiss for a first attempt.

Adjective

not functioning properly
- something is amiss
- has gone completely haywire
- something is wrong with the engine

Adverb

in an imperfect or faulty way
- The lobe was imperfectly developed
- Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practiced more- Jane Austen
in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner
- if you think him guilty you judge amiss
- he spoke amiss
- no one took it amiss when she spoke frankly
away from the correct or expected course
- something has gone awry in our plans
- something went badly amiss in the preparations

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