misfire

[ verb mis-fiuhr; noun mis-fahyuhr ]
See synonyms for misfire on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),mis·fired, mis·fir·ing.
  1. (of a rifle or gun or of a bullet or shell) to fail to fire or explode.

  2. (of an internal-combustion engine) to fail to ignite properly or when expected.

  1. to fail to achieve the desired result, effect, etc.: His criticisms completely misfired.

noun
  1. an act or instance of misfiring.

Origin of misfire

1
First recorded in 1745–55; mis-1 + fire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for misfire

misfire

/ (ˌmɪsˈfaɪə) /


verb(intr)
  1. (of a firearm or its projectile) to fail to fire, explode, or ignite as or when expected

  2. (of a motor engine or vehicle, etc) to fail to fire at the appropriate time, often causing a backfire

  1. to fail to operate or occur as intended

noun
  1. the act or an instance of misfiring

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