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Misnomer - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A misnomer is a term or name that is incorrectly applied, often due to being misleading or inaccurate. For example, calling a peanut a nut is a misnomer because it is actually a legume.

misnomer

/mɪsˈnoʊmɚ/ /mɪsˈnəʊmə/

Definition:

A wrong or inaccurate name or term for something.

Synonyms:

misname, mislabel, misidentification, misapplication

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

correct term, accurate name

Common Collocations:

common misnomer, popular misnomer, technical misnomer

Derivatives:

misnomered, misnaming

Usage Tips:

Use "misnomer" when a name is misleading or incorrect, not just for any mistake.

Common Phrases:

"It's a misnomer to call it a jellyfish, " "The term 'killer whale' is a misnomer, " "A peanut is a misnomer—it's not a nut."

Etymology:

From Old French "mesnommer," meaning "to name wrongly," combining "mes-" (wrongly) and "nommer" (to name).

Examples:

  • 1. Calling tomatoes vegetables is a botanical misnomer; they're actually fruits.
  • 2. "Starfish" is a misnomer because they aren't fish but echinoderms.
  • 3. The term "koala bear" is a misnomer—koalas are marsupials, not bears.
  • 4. Many consider "fun run" a misnomer if the race feels exhausting!

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