Letters and spelling

Words with miss vocabulary list

This list explores words built from the Latin root miss, meaning to send, which hides inside common words like mission, permission, and transmission. Use it to see how a single root connects dozens of English words, or to answer the question of what the root miss actually means.

29 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
missverbTo fail to hit, reach, catch, or achieve something that was aimed at, expected, or intended.He swung hard but missed the ball completely.
missionnounAn important task or purpose that a person or organization is sent to accomplish.The charity's mission is to provide clean water to remote villages.
missilenounA self-propelled weapon that is guided or aimed toward a target, or any object thrown or fired at something.The military tested a new missile capable of striking targets far away.
missingadjectiveNot present in the place where it should be; absent, lost, or unaccounted for.One page of the report was missing when she finally opened the file.
missivenounA letter, especially one that is long, formal, or official.He received a lengthy missive from his aunt, filled with news from back home.
dismissverbTo officially remove someone from a job, or to decide that an idea or feeling is not worth considering.The manager dismissed two employees after the warehouse theft was discovered on camera.
dismissalnounThe act of officially removing someone from a job, or the rejection of an idea or claim.His sudden dismissal from the company shocked all of his coworkers.
dismissiveadjectiveShowing that someone considers a person or idea not worth serious attention.He gave a dismissive wave of his hand and walked away without answering.
commissionnounA fee paid to someone for services rendered, usually a percentage of a sale, or an official request to create something.The real estate agent earned a commission on every house she sold.
commissionernounAn official appointed to oversee a particular department, agency, or organization.The police commissioner announced new safety measures after the incident.
commissarynounA store or cafeteria that supplies food and other goods to a specific group, such as soldiers, prisoners, or studio staff.Soldiers stocked up on snacks and toiletries at the base commissary.
admissionnounPermission to enter a place, institution, or event, or the act of being let in.Admission to the museum is free for students on Wednesdays.
admissibleadjectiveAcceptable or valid, especially evidence that a court allows to be considered.The judge ruled that the recorded confession was admissible as evidence.
submissionnounThe act of accepting the authority or control of another person, or yielding to a demand.The soldiers' submission to the new commander ended the standoff peacefully.
submissiveadjectiveReadily giving in to the will or authority of another person, without resistance.The new employee seemed submissive, agreeing with every suggestion from his boss.
permissionnounFormal or informal approval given to someone to do something.She asked her manager for permission to leave work early on Friday.
permissibleadjectiveAllowed under a set of laws, rules, or accepted standards of behavior.A small amount of noise is permissible in the dorm before ten at night.
permissiveadjectiveAllowing a great deal of freedom, especially in behavior that others might restrict.Their permissive parenting style let the children set their own bedtimes.
transmissionnounThe act of sending or passing something, such as a signal, disease, or information, from one point to another.The virus's rapid transmission between passengers alarmed health officials on the cruise ship.
omissionnounThe act of leaving something out, or something that has been left out or not included.The report's omission of key figures raised questions about its accuracy.
remissionnounA period during which a serious illness, especially cancer, becomes less severe or its symptoms disappear.After chemotherapy, her doctors confirmed that the cancer was in remission.
intermissionnounA short pause or break between parts of a performance, event, or activity.During the intermission, the audience stretched their legs and bought refreshments in the lobby.
emissionnounSomething released or discharged into the air, especially gas, radiation, or light.The factory reduced its carbon emission after installing new filtering equipment.
promissoryadjectiveContaining or expressing a formal promise, especially to pay a sum of money.He signed a promissory note agreeing to repay the loan within a year.
missionarynounA person sent to a foreign country or community to spread a religious faith, often alongside education or aid work.The missionary spent thirty years building schools and clinics in the region.
missalnounA book containing the prayers, texts, and instructions used to celebrate Mass throughout the church year.The priest opened the missal to find the readings for that Sunday.
misstepnounA mistake in judgment, decision, or conduct, or a wrong or awkward step while walking.Trusting that supplier turned out to be a costly misstep for the company.
misshapenadjectiveHaving a shape that is abnormal, deformed, or not as it should be.The misshapen vegetables were sold at a discount even though they tasted fine.
decommissionverbTo officially take a machine, building, or facility out of active service.The government decided to decommission the aging nuclear power plant last year.

What does the root miss mean?

In words like mission, permission, and transmission, miss comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning to send. A mission is a task someone is sent to do, permission is sent approval to act, and transmission sends a signal or disease from one place to another. Not every word with miss in it uses this root; misstep and misshapen instead combine the prefix mis- with step and shaped, showing that spelling can look similar while origin differs.

Frequently asked questions

What does the root miss mean in words like mission and permission?

In these words, miss comes from the Latin mittere, meaning to send, so a mission is something someone is sent to do and permission is sent approval.