Miscellaneous - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT miscellaneous /ˌˈmɪsəˌleɪniəs/ /mɪsɛˈleɪniəs/ IPA guide

Other forms: miscellaneously

Something miscellaneous is made up of an odd bunch of things — things you might not expect to go together. A breakfast bar, a DVD, and a credit card bill are miscellaneous items that may be in your backpack.

The word miscellaneous comes from the Latin word miscere, meaning “to mix.” You might have heard the expression “a mixed bag,” which applies when you don’t quite know what you’re going to get. That’s true of a bag of miscellaneous objects, too. You might pull out socks and a stick of butter — two things that don’t seem to go together. Similarly, miscellaneous can describe something with many variations, like a person who expresses herself in many different ways.

Definitions of miscellaneous

adjective having many aspects “a miscellaneous crowd” synonyms: many-sided, multifaceted, multifarious varied characterized by variety
adjective consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds “miscellaneous accessories” synonyms: assorted, mixed, motley, sundry heterogeneous, heterogenous, hybrid consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature

Pronunciation US /ˌˈmɪsəˌleɪniəs/ UK /mɪsɛˈleɪniəs/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘miscellaneous'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing miscellaneous

Tears of a Tiger Sharon M. Draper

In the first book of the Hazelwood High trilogy, basketball player Andy Jackson deals with the aftermath of the car accident that killed his best friend.

A Boy Called Bat Elana K. Arnold

A middle-schooler nicknamed Bat, a boy on the autism spectrum, learns to take care of a baby skunk in this first book of The Bat series.

List 8

Learn these challenging spelling words for 12th grade students. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8, List 9, List 10

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