First Known Use: 1637
Dictionary
miscellaneous
adjective mis·cel·la·neous \ˌmi-sə-ˈlā-nē-əs, -nyəs\
: including many things of different kinds
Full Definition of MISCELLANEOUS
1
: consisting of diverse things or members : heterogeneous
2
a : having various traits b : dealing with or interested in diverse subjects <as a writer I was too miscellaneous — George Santayana>
— mis·cel·la·neous·ly adverb
— mis·cel·la·neous·ness noun
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Examples of MISCELLANEOUS
- The coyotes, in other words, also munched rabbits, woodchucks, meadow mice, deer mice, jumping mice, and freelance miscellaneous booty like frogs and fallen apples and muskrats, … —Edward Hoagland, Harper's, June 2007
- The sandhogs' word for a miscellaneous happening in which a sandhog is injured is mishap. —Alec Wilkinson, Double Take, Summer 2001
- … we came upon what must have been his camp, a rather elaborate shelter made of lashed saplings and covered with plastic sheeting; empty Clorox bottles were scattered around, along with rope, canned goods, and what Huck Finn would have called his traps—the miscellaneous pots, clothing, and whatnot that you lug around through life. —Franklin Burroughs, The River Home, 1992
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Origin of MISCELLANEOUS
Latin miscellaneus, from miscellus mixed
Related to MISCELLANEOUS
- Synonyms
- assorted, eclectic, heterogeneous, indiscriminate, kitchen-sink, magpie, mixed, motley, patchwork, piebald, promiscuous, raggle-taggle, ragtag, varied
- Antonyms
- homogeneous
Rhymes with MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUSNESS Defined for Kids
miscellaneous
adjective mis·cel·la·neous \ˌmi-sə-ˈlā-nē-əs, -nyəs\
Definition of MISCELLANEOUS for Kids
: consisting of many things of different sorts
Learn More About MISCELLANEOUS
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Next Word in the Dictionary: miscellanyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: miscellaneaAll Words Near: miscellaneous
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