misnomer Definition
- 1a wrong or inaccurate name or designation
- 2an incorrect or unsuitable name
Using misnomer: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "misnomer" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The term 'killer whale' is a misnomer because they are actually dolphins.
Example
The name 'funny bone' is a misnomer because hitting it is not actually funny.
Example
The term 'Chinese checkers' is a misnomer because it is not a variation of checkers and did not originate in China.
misnomer Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for misnomer
- misname
- inaccurate name
- wrong name
- false name
- inappropriate name
Phrases with misnomer
Example
Mark Twain was the nom de plume of Samuel Clemens.
a pseudonym used by a person engaged in covert activity, such as a spy or a revolutionary
Example
Che Guevara's nom de guerre was 'Ernesto'.
nom de théâtre
a stage name used by an actor
Example
Audrey Hepburn's nom de théâtre was Edda van Heemstra.
Origins of misnomer
from Old French 'mesnommer', meaning 'to misname'
Summary: misnomer in Brief
The term 'misnomer' [ˌmɪsˈnoʊmər] refers to a name or designation that is incorrect or unsuitable. It is often used to describe names that are misleading or inaccurate, such as 'killer whale,' which is actually a dolphin. 'Misnomer' can be contrasted with related terms like 'nom de plume,' 'nom de guerre,' and 'nom de théâtre,' which refer to pen names, pseudonyms, and stage names, respectively.
