When something is amiss, it's wrong, faulty, or out of place. If you walk into your classroom and notice something amiss, you might spot an open window that should be closed, desks arranged in an unusual way, or your teacher looking worried instead of cheerful.

The word often describes situations where you can't quite put your finger on what's wrong, but you sense that something isn't right. A detective might notice something amiss at a crime scene: a detail that doesn't fit the rest of the evidence. When your normally energetic dog seems quiet and tired, you might worry that something is amiss with its health.

People frequently use amiss in the phrase “something is amiss” or “nothing is amiss,” meaning everything is fine. You might also hear “take something amiss,” which means to be offended by it, like if your friend took your joke amiss and thought you were making fun of them when you were just trying to be playful.

The word carries a sense of concern or unease. When something is amiss, it deserves attention because it signals that things aren't as they should be.