miscellaneous

[ mis-uh-ley-nee-uhs ]

adjective

1. consisting of members or elements of different kinds; of mixed character:

   a book of miscellaneous essays on American history.

   Synonyms: diversified, heterogeneous, varied, divers

2. having various qualities, aspects, or subjects:

   a miscellaneous discussion.

miscellaneous

/ ˌmɪsəˈleɪnɪəs /

adjective

1. composed of or containing a variety of things; mixed; varied
2. having varied capabilities, sides, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌmiscelˈlaneousness, noun
• ˌmiscelˈlaneously, adverb

Other Words From

• miscel·lane·ous·ly adverb
• miscel·lane·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of miscellaneous¹

1630–40; from Latin miscellāneus “mixed, of all sorts,” equivalent to miscell(us) “mixed” + -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous

Word History and Origins

Origin of miscellaneous¹

C17: from Latin miscellāneus, from miscellus mixed, from miscēre to mix

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Freed from responsibilities, anxieties, hurts, and other miscellaneous burdens, if only transiently.

From Nautilus

The house continues to attract artists, musicians and miscellaneous guests.

From Washington Post

The app became popular among younger consumers who used it to pay each other for a litany of miscellaneous charges from splitting an Uber to sharing rent.

From Popular-Science

The bulk would instead go to miscellaneous programs, such as scholarships and STEM education efforts.

From Vox

Trays are helpful for corralling miscellaneous items on a coffee table or other surface.

From Washington Post

Some say “miscellaneous China 2003” and others “miscellaneous conferences.”

From The Daily Beast

The park was also filled with its usual assortment of tourists, street preachers and miscellaneous weirdos.

From The Daily Beast

The two walked in together with a gaggle of security and miscellaneous entourage.

From The Daily Beast

It is an exhaustive romp, but the result feels a bit miscellaneous.

From The Daily Beast

Richard Brathwaite, an English poet and miscellaneous writer, died.

From Project Gutenberg

Bonnell Thornton died; an English poet, essayist and miscellaneous writer, and translator of Plautus.

From Project Gutenberg

The attempt failed, and was followed by a rapid succession of miscellaneous thrusts and passes in bewildering variety.

From Project Gutenberg

Christopher Smart, an English poet and miscellaneous writer, died; known by a popular translation of Horace.

From Project Gutenberg

I found there, however, a piece of unmistakable chrysotile, grouped amongst a miscellaneous lot of American minerals.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sundry