What does missile mean?
In contemporary English, missile most often denotes a weapon that is propelled toward a target, usually by a rocket motor and often guided after launch. Ballistic missiles follow a trajectory determined largely by gravity, whereas cruise missiles sustain powered flight and can be guided more precisely. Because the word is closely associated with warfare and modern weapons systems, it often carries serious or threatening connotations in political and news reporting. Missiles can also refer more broadly to objects launched toward a destination, although this use is less common. The verb missile is a rare informal alternative to miss in the sense of deliberately failing to hit a target. An unusual feature of the word is its history: it ultimately comes from Latin words associated with sending or throwing, which aptly describes the original military purpose of sending a destructive projectile toward a distant objective.
A weapon or projectile propelled toward a target, often by a rocket motor and sometimes guided after launch.
"The missile was launched from the coast early on Sunday morning."
Standard in military, technical, and general news usage.
To miss or fail to hit a target deliberately.
"The player seemed to missile the easy shot."
Rare and chiefly informal; the direct form “missile a target” is more typical than an inflected use.
The regular plural is used for both individual weapons and multiple weapons or projectiles.
"Two missiles struck the compound during the night."
Missile comes from a Latin root meaning “to send”: the name preserves the ancient idea of sending a weapon toward a distant target.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does missile come from?
Missile entered English from French missile, a noun meaning a weapon that is thrown or launched, borrowed from Latin missilis, meaning “thrown” or “launched.” The Latin word derives from mittere, “to send,” the same root found in cognates such as mission, message, transmit, and dismiss. The military sense developed as the use of self-propelled and guided weapons expanded during the twentieth century.
Related word forms
How missile is actually used
The noun is standard in military, technical, and news contexts. The verb is uncommon and informal, and is chiefly used when someone deliberately avoids hitting or achieving a target.
Easily confused with missile
A missile is a projectile weapon, whereas something missing is absent, lost, or not found.