What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misbuttoned
Example
She realized she had misbuttoned her shirt when she noticed the collar was askew. [misbuttoned: verb]
Example
He looked disheveled with his misbuttoned jacket. [misbuttoned: adjective]
unbuttoned
Example
It's hot outside, so I'm going to leave my shirt unbuttoned. [unbuttoned: adjective]
Example
She unbuttoned her coat to cool off after walking up the hill. [unbuttoned: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unbuttoned is more commonly used than misbuttoned in everyday language. Unbuttoned is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while misbuttoned is less common and refers to a specific mistake in buttoning up a garment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misbuttoned and unbuttoned?
Both misbuttoned and unbuttoned are typically associated with a casual and informal tone, although misbuttoned can also be used in more formal contexts to describe a mistake in dressing up.