misuse

CEFRB2

/mɪsˈjuːs/

verb · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To use something wrongly or for the wrong purpose.

  2. 02

    noun

    Wrong or harmful use of something.

Examples

  • Misuse of prepositions can make a situation hilarious.

  • The word lends itself to misuse by beginners.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
3
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /mɪsˈjuːz/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).

  2. To use (something) incorrectly.

noun

Extra meaning

  1. An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.

More examples

In context

  • The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.

  • “If that is true she would be the first case I have ever heard of, as most female captives are misused by the entire tribe.”

  • Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not […].

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The major illegal blank of public funds resulted in a criminal investigation.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From mis- + use (noun).