misadventure
Americannoun
noun
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an unlucky event; misfortune
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law accidental death not due to crime or negligence
Etymology
Origin of misadventure
1250–1300; mis- 1 + adventure; replacing Middle English mesaventure < Old French
Explanation
Ever climb a ladder and then, when you’re at the top, the ladder tips over, leaving you stranded up there? That’s the start of a misadventure, an unfortunate situation that happens because of bad luck. Kids are always having misadventures. Falling into a pit of mud, getting stuck between slats in a fence, a monkey stealing the shirt off your back: all classic misadventures. The word is rooted in the French word mesaventure, which translates to “turn out badly.” Some misadventures are only embarrassing, while others are exhausting and sad. The worst part? You can’t prevent a misadventure, because they happen by chance.
Vocabulary lists containing misadventure
Power Prefix: mis-
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"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 1
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Selected Short Stories of H.G. Wells
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Reuben also inspired the opening track on Life By Misadventure, a beautiful ballad called Fireflies that's full of fatherly advice.
From BBC • May 6, 2021
Rex and Bob’s Excellent Misadventure “My Fair Lady’s” Henry Higgins and “The Music Man’s” Harold Hill become trapped in each other’s shows in this new musical comedy.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2019
"Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble," is a scathing account of his time at the company that skewers juvenile startup cultures, raises broader concerns about age bias and questions the hype around hot growth tech companies.
From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 2016
Lyons is currently in the middle of writing a book titled Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Startup Bubble, which sounds like the next natural leap from working on TV.
From The Verge • Jun. 12, 2015
Misadventure, mis-ad-vent′ūr, n. an unfortunate adventure: ill-luck: disaster.—adjs.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
