miscellaneous

[ mis-uh-ley-nee-uhs ]

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

/ ˌmɪsəˈleɪnɪəs /

adjective

1. composed of or containing a variety of things; mixed; varied
2. having varied capabilities, sides, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌmiscelˈlaneousness, noun
• ˌmiscelˈlaneously, adverb

Other Words From

• miscel·lane·ous·ly adverb
• miscel·lane·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of miscellaneous¹

1630–40; from Latin miscellāneus “mixed, of all sorts,” equivalent to miscell(us) “mixed” + -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous

Word History and Origins

Origin of miscellaneous¹

C17: from Latin miscellāneus, from miscellus mixed, from miscēre to mix

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Raised by a rock-obsessed father and a mother with a soft spot for cheesy romantic hits, she blames her family’s miscellaneous music taste and the variety of Mexico City’s local radio stations for her need to venture beyond one genre.

From Los Angeles Times

Publicly traded U.S. companies must disclose top executives’ salaries, the value of newly granted stock and options and an assortment of miscellaneous perks like personal security guards or corporate jets.

From New York Times

Millions of miscellaneous items are posted for sale each day, but on 7 August 2016, something unusual happened.

From BBC

In addition to the flooring, the Keurig and the computer, the woman also had a mini desk, a printer, a pantry and other miscellaneous items inside the sign, he said.

From New York Times

If I didn’t have a trunk to store miscellaneous junk and had to rely on a tote bag or the basket on a bike for on-the-go storage, I might consider taking a leap off the Pont Neuf.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sundry