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.
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!