misplace

verb mis·place \ˌmis-ˈplās\

: to put (something) in the wrong place

: to lose (something) for a short time by forgetting where you put it

: to direct (a feeling, such as trust or confidence) toward someone or something that does not deserve it

Full Definition of MISPLACE

transitive verb

a : to put in a wrong or inappropriate place <misplace a comma>

b : mislay <misplaced the keys>

: to set on a wrong object or eventuality <his trust had been misplaced>

— mis·place·ment \-ˈplās-mənt\ noun

See misplace defined for English-language learners

See misplace defined for kids

First Known Use of MISPLACE

1555

Related to MISPLACE

Synonyms: mislay, lose

Rhymes with MISPLACE

abase, airspace, Alsace, ambsace, apace, backspace, best-case, biface, birthplace, blackface, boldface, bookcase, bootlace, braincase, briefcase, clubface, crankcase, cyclase, debase, deface, disgrace, displace, dogface, doughface, efface, embrace, emplace, encase, enchase, enlace, erase, euclase, firebase, fireplace, footpace, footrace, foreface, freebase, gyrase, half-space, hard case, headspace, hydrase, Jerez, kinase, lactase, lightface, lipase, lyase, maltase, manes, millrace, milreis, mutase, notecase, null-space, nutcase, outface, outpace, outrace, paleface, postface, Quilmes, replace, scapegrace, shoelace, showcase, showplace, slipcase, smearcase, someplace, staircase, subbase, subspace, suitcase, tailrace, tenace, typeface, ukase, unbrace, unlace, watchcase, wheelbase, whey-face, whiteface, workplace, worst-case

MISPLACED Defined for Kids

misplace

verb mis·place \mis-ˈplās\

mis·placedmis·plac·ing

Definition of MISPLACE for Kids

: to put (something) where it doesn't belong <misplace a comma>

: mislay

Synonym Discussion of MISPLACE

misplace and mislay mean to put in the wrong place. misplace may mean to put something in a place that is not its usual location. <Someone seems to have misplaced the crayons.> misplace may also mean putting something where it should not have been at all. <I misplaced my confidence in them.> mislay means not only placing something in the wrong location but also forgetting that location. <I mislaid my keys.>

Learn More About MISPLACE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "misplace"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "misplace"

Nglish: Translation of "misplace" for Spanish speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: misplayPrevious Word in the Dictionary: misoprostolAll Words Near: misplace

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up misplace? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site