miscellaneous
Americanadjective
-
consisting of members or elements of different kinds; of mixed character.
a book of miscellaneous essays on American history.
- Synonyms:
- diversified, heterogeneous, varied, divers
-
having various qualities, aspects, or subjects.
a miscellaneous discussion.
adjective
-
composed of or containing a variety of things; mixed; varied
-
having varied capabilities, sides, etc
Related Words
Miscellaneous, indiscriminate, promiscuous refer to mixture and lack of order, and may imply lack of discernment or taste. Miscellaneous emphasizes the idea of the mixture of things of different kinds or natures: a miscellaneous assortment of furniture. Indiscriminate emphasizes lack of discrimination in choice (and consequent confusion): indiscriminate praise. Promiscuous is even stronger than indiscriminate in its emphasis of complete absence of discrimination: promiscuous in his friendships.
Other Word Forms
- miscellaneously adverb
- miscellaneousness noun
Etymology
Origin of miscellaneous
1630–40; from Latin miscellāneus “mixed, of all sorts,” equivalent to miscell(us) “mixed” + -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous
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.
Alternatively, couples might resolve to establish “yours,” “mine” and “ours” bank accounts where the joint account is used for monthly expenses with a budget that may or may not include miscellaneous activities.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 5, 2025
A table off to the side is cluttered with miscellaneous awards.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025
Ms. Lovette’s choreography presents her cast—mostly as solos and duos—in miscellaneous, acrobatic forays, sometimes tricked out with gestures suggesting aggression or irritation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025
Publicly traded U.S. companies must disclose top executives’ salaries, the value of newly granted stock and options and an assortment of miscellaneous perks like personal security guards or corporate jets.
From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2024
His brother-in-law gave him a thousand dollars for miscellaneous traveling expenses and the money, which seemed so huge a sum when first he saw it, is evaporating faster than Salim can believe.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
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.
