omission

omission — noun

1. a case where something important is left out or not done, or the missing part it

1.nounC1
Definition

a case where something important is left out or not done, or the missing part itself.

Example

A spelling omission on the passport form delayed Nora's visa interview.

countable: a specific missing part

The report's omission of fuel costs made the school trip look cheaper.

omission of + noun

Common collocations
  • major omission
  • serious omission
  • critical omission
  • omission of a name
  • error of omission
Synonyms
  • oversight

    usually means an accidental mistake, especially in work or writing

  • lapse

    focuses more on a failure to act or remember, often for a short time

  • exclusion

    often sounds more deliberate than omission

  • gap

    less formal and usually names the missing part, not the act of leaving it out

Antonyms
  • inclusion

    the act of putting something in

  • addition

    something extra that is put in rather than left out

Grammar Patterns

omission of + noun

omission from + noun

by omission

Usage Note

Often followed by 'of' when naming what was left out and 'from' or 'in' when naming the larger document, list, or plan. Uncountable use focuses on the act or fact of leaving something out; countable use names the missing item itself, as in 'a major omission'.

Common Mistakes

The omission from his phone number caused confusion.
The omission of his phone number caused confusion.
use 'of' to name the thing that is missing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Omission' is a fairly formal word for something being left out, or for failing to do something that should have been done. 'Oversight' is closer when the mistake is clearly accidental, especially in office work, editing, or planning. 'Lapse' often points to a brief failure of memory, judgement, or duty, so it fits missed actions better than missing details on a page. 'Exclusion' is different because it often sounds planned or intentional: a name may be omitted by mistake, but a person may be excluded on purpose. Compare: 'The omission of the safety warning caused concern' suggests a missing detail, while 'the exclusion of younger players from the team' suggests a deliberate decision.

omission ↗oversight ↗lapseexclusion ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • by omission
  • error of omission
  • an omission from the list
  • the omission of a name

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

English borrowed this word from Latin through French. Its earlier Latin form, 'omissio', came from the verb 'omittere', meaning 'to let go' or 'leave out'. From the beginning, the word has carried the idea of something not being included when it otherwise could or should have been.