misnomer

American  

[mis-noh-mer] / mɪsˈnoʊ mər /

noun

1. a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation.

2. an error in naming a person or thing.

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misnomer British  

/ ˌmɪsˈnəʊmə /

noun

1. an incorrect or unsuitable name or term for a person or thing

2. the act of referring to a person by the wrong name

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Commonly Confused

Misnomer is not a fancy, more elevated word for mistake. Nor is it a synonym for misstatement, misconception, or misunderstanding. As the word's Latin etymon nōmināre (“to name”) tells us, a misnomer is a special kind of mistake: a wrong name. The consequences of a mistake can range from trivial to catastrophic—from typos to train wrecks. But a misnomer is often just embarrassing, like trying to impress a friend by referring to a Burgundy wine as a “Bordeaux.” Sometimes, however, what began as a misnomer has become a standard term: the game of Chinese checkers does not come from China; the funny bone is a nerve, not a bone; hay fever is not caused by hay and is not a fever; and a pregnant woman's morning sickness can occur at any time of day. Other kinds of mistakes or misunderstandings—giving a driver wrong directions, thinking that the earth is flat, drawing an erroneous conclusion—are not misnomers. In fact, the word misnomer when used to describe a behavioral mistake or a misperception of reality is itself a misnomer!

Etymology

Origin of misnomer

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, noun use of Middle French mesnomer “to misname,” equivalent to mes- negating prefix + nomer “to name, call by name,” from Latin nōmināre; see mis- ¹, nominate

Explanation

A misnomer is a wrong or unsuitable name. It’s a misnomer to call your grandmother “Grandfather,” the same way it’s a misnomer to call a chair with four legs that doesn’t move unless you drag it across the floor, a rocking chair. From the Middle-French misnomer “to misname” evolved our English misnomer, a noun indicating a lack of fit when it comes to naming. Synonyms include, predictably, misnamed, but also mistermed and miscalled. You’ll notice the repetition of the mis- at the front of all those words. It comes from the French mes-, which means “wrongly.”

Example Sentences

Calling Vanguard Wellington a 60/40 fund is inevitable, but also something of a misnomer.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Rattlesnake season is a misnomer in California because they’re active year-round, meaning rattlesnakes can be seen throughout the year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Keep in mind that the term overbought can be a misnomer.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 6, 2026

As Mr. Barksdale said to me, “Mississippi miracle” is a misnomer because it suggests that test scores improved overnight.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

Though a misnomer, his nickname proved to be the one enduring thing about Pollard’s ring career.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand