Miscellaneous Definition & Meaning

American

British

Related Words

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms miscellaneous American [mis-uh-ley-nee-uhs] / ˌmɪs əˈleɪ ni əs /

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 British / ˌmɪsəˈleɪnɪəs /

adjective

1. composed of or containing a variety of things; mixed; varied

2. having varied capabilities, sides, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

The only segment to record weakened sales in November was sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailing, the data agency said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The retired investment banker lived most of his life in Hong Kong and was famous in the territory for the Webb-site, a comprehensive online repository for corporate records and miscellaneous government data.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

The Other category refers to miscellaneous visas outside the categories of work, family and study.

From BBC

A table off to the side is cluttered with miscellaneous awards.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sundry

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.