misnomer

noun

mis·​no·​mer ˌmis-ˈnō-mər 

1

: the misnaming of a person in a legal instrument

2

a

: a use of a wrong or inappropriate name

It is a misnomer to call it an "international airport," since nearly all flights are local.

b

: a wrong name or inappropriate designation

The name "Greenland" is a misnomer, since much of the island is covered by a massive ice sheet.

misnomered

ˌmis-ˈnō-mərd 

adjective

Did you know?

Don't Mistake the Meaning of Misnomer

What’s in a name? Well, in some cases, a name will contain an error, a misunderstanding, or a mislabeling. Historians have long noted that the Holy Roman Empire was not holy, nor Roman, nor an empire. The Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on Breed’s Hill. And the Pennsylvania Dutch are in fact of German ancestry. For such cases, we have the term misnomer, which can refer both to the use of an incorrect or inappropriate designation (as in “it’s a misnomer to call an orca a ‘killer whale’”) or to the designation itself. Regardless, there’s no mistaking the source of misnomer: it comes from the Anglo-French verb mesnomer (“to misname”) and ultimately has its roots in nomen, the Latin word for “name.”

Examples of misnomer in a Sentence

“International Airport” is something of a misnomer, since almost all the arriving and departing flights are local.

Recent Examples on the Web

One misnomer to Indiana’s success it that its roster is a result of tens of millions of NIL dollars spent by desperate donors, namely IU alum and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026

The name is somewhat of a misnomer because soap only makes up part of this sticky grayish or yellow substance. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026

Critics say the name is a misnomer that has lulled drivers into handing over full control to their cars. —Austin American Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026

The ugly Team defense is a misnomer The following statistic should leave the Ducks thoroughly embarrassed. —Eric Stephens, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English misnoumer, from Anglo-French mesnomer, from mes- mis- + nomer to name, from Latin nominare — more at nominate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misnomer

• sarcoma
• angiosarcoma
• osteosarcoma
• chondrosarcoma
• enantiomer
• fibrosarcoma
• lymphosarcoma
• comber
• gomer
• omer
• vomer
• leiomyosarcoma

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Kids Definition

misnomer

noun

mis·​no·​mer (ˈ)mis-ˈnō-mər 

: a wrong or unsuitable name

Legal Definition

misnomer

noun

mis·​no·​mer ˌmis-ˈnō-mər 

: the misnaming of a person in a legal document or proceeding (as in a complaint or indictment)

specifically : the institution of proceedings against and service of process on the correct party using the incorrect name compare idem sonans

Note: Amendment of the pleadings is generally allowed in cases of misnomer.

Etymology

Anglo-French mesnomer, from mesnomer to misname, from Middle French mes- wrongly + nommer to name, from Latin nominare, from nomin-, nomen name