misnomer

noun

mis·​no·​mer ˌmis-ˈnō-mər How to pronounce misnomer (audio)
1
: the misnaming of a person in a legal instrument
2
a
: a use of a wrong or inappropriate name
Nowadays it is a misnomer to call a farmer a peasant.
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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, even calling them a CMO has become something of a misnomer, because the role is changing dramatically. Mike Maynard, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 The name Dry Tortugas National Park is a bit of a misnomer, considering that less than one percent of this Florida national park’s 100 square miles is dry land. Matt Kirouac, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Apr. 2023 Nintendo The Legend of Zelda has always been been a misnomer, and not only because the franchise’s game has had very little to do with Princess Zelda (or really any women) in any significant way. Julie Muncy, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2017 From a brand rich in haute horology, calling a timepiece a sports watch is really a misnomer. Roberta Naas, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misnomer 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of misnomer was in the 15th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near misnomer

Cite this Entry

“Misnomer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misnomer. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

misnomer

noun
mis·​no·​mer (ˈ)mis-ˈnō-mər How to pronounce misnomer (audio)
: a wrong or unsuitable name

Legal Definition

misnomer

noun
mis·​no·​mer ˌmis-ˈnō-mər How to pronounce misnomer (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on misnomer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!