noun
- a wrong or inaccurate name or designation
- the use of a wrong or inappropriate name
Examples
- Calling it a ‘jellyfish’ is actually a misnomer since it’s not really a fish.
- The term ‘shooting star’ is a misnomer for what is actually a meteor.
- Guinea pigs are neither from Guinea nor related to pigs, making the name a complete misnomer.
- To call him lazy would be a misnomer; he works harder than anyone I know.
- The ‘funny bone’ is a misnomer because hitting it isn’t funny at all.
- Koala ‘bears’ are marsupials, so the bear designation is a misnomer.