Misnomer

Quick meaning: Misnomer is a noun meaning (law) A mistake in the naming of a person or place; a misidentification.

Meaning

(law) A mistake in the naming of a person or place; a misidentification.

More Meanings

1. An incorrect use of a term, especially one which is misleading; a misname.
2. A term which is misleading, even if firmly established, technically correct, or both.
3. Something which is asserted not to be true; a mistaken belief, a falsehood, a myth.
4. (transitive) To use an incorrect, and especially misleading, name for (someone or something); to misidentify, to misname.

Example Sentences

It’s a misnomer that all doctors have bad handwriting.

The name Chinese checkers is a misnomer since the game has nothing to do with China.

[…] plaintiff's misstyling himself as corporation in initial complaint constituted case of misnomer.

The word blackboard as applied to green or brown chalkboards is a misnomer but is not incorrect, as the broad sense of the word is idiomatic.

Word Forms

• misnomers
• misnomering
• misnomered

Antonyms for misnomer

Common opposites include aptronym.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include error, misname, misappellation, misnaming, misnamer, misonomy.

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