MIA

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adjective

ˌem-(ˌ)ī-ˈā 

: missing in action

He was a U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam, where he was reported MIA for a period of time.

—The Pilot (Southern Pines, North Carolina)

—often used figuratively for someone or something notably or unexpectedly missing, absent, or inactive

Anna Kournikova has been MIA since last month as the result of a stress fracture in her left foot.

—Sports Illustrated

… considered everything that could go wrong on her wedding day—lousy weather, droopy centerpieces, an MIA photographer …

—Jason Lynch

John Hurt … had critics and audiences marking him as a major new filmmaker. Then he went MIA [=he disappeared; he was not heard from] for five years …

—Stephen Rebello

MIA

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noun

plural MIAs also MIA's

: a member of the armed forces reported to be missing in action

Today, despite advances in casualty accounting, unanswered questions still torment many families of MIAs.

—David Sears

A voice from somewhere in the mess hall: "A toast to the POWs and MIAs!"

—Jayne Hendel

… a metal dog tag imprinted with the names of four Israeli MIA's …

—Yossi Klein Halevi

Examples of MIA in a Sentence

Noun

The fate of most MIAs in the war is still not known.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And two films registered only one nom, each for best drama picture: Nickel Boys, which has done very well with recent announcements, and Paramount’s September 5, which was largely MIA from them. —Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024

The tonnage figures are a little more pronounced, 35% to 24% in favor of MIA. —Ken Roberts, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Remaining schedule: at BUF, CHI, LAR, at MIA, DET, at ARI 15. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, The Athletic, 2 Dec. 2024

The rooms come in five configurations with very Miami names, such as the Graffiti Grove King, MIA Playground Double Queen, and the Mojito XL King Suite, ranging from 211 to 592 square feet. —Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

Then there’s UberX Share at Airports, launching in AUS, DEN, EWR, IAD, MIA, MSY, PHX, SFO, and internationally in AMS and MAD, with more to come. —Shivani Vora, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

The airline is now operating four weekly nonstop flights between Miami International Airport (MIA) and the capital of San Salvador, the airport shared with Travel + Leisure. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024

The project, about a night-shift hotel worker during COVID, recently pitched at Rome’s MIA market. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

With the tenth edition of MIA in equal parts a rumination on the creative endeavors, the business of film and TV, and the state of the local industry, Owen’s appearance was warmly received by a knowledgable audience. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

missing in action

First Known Use

Adjective

1946, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1944, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing MIA

• went MIA