Misfit: meaning, definitions and examples

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misfit

 

[ ˈmɪs.fɪt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person

A misfit is a person who does not fit into a particular group or situation due to being different in some way.

Synonyms

nonconformist, outsider, rebel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misfit

Same as above, since it was repeated

  • Her unique sense of humor made her feel like a misfit at the comedy club.
  • Tommy was a misfit in his conservative family, with his love for rock music and eccentric fashion.
outsider

This is suitable for someone who is not part of a specific group or community, often implying a sense of exclusion or alienation.

  • As an outsider, she struggled to make friends in the close-knit town.
  • Though he lived in the village for years, he was always treated as an outsider by the locals.
nonconformist

This word is best when talking about someone who deliberately does not follow accepted norms or practices, usually in a broader cultural or social sense. It can have a more positive or neutral connotation.

  • As a nonconformist, she refused to adhere to the company's strict dress code.
  • He was known as a nonconformist, always challenging societal norms with his radical ideas.
rebel

This term is appropriate for someone who actively resists authority or established conventions, often carrying a more intense and sometimes negative connotation.

  • The young rebel refused to follow the school's strict rules, constantly challenging the teachers.
  • She was labeled a rebel for speaking out against the government's policies.

Examples of usage

  • She always felt like a misfit in high school.
  • Despite his best efforts, he remained a misfit in the corporate world.
Context #2 | Noun

object

A misfit is a piece that does not fit correctly into a larger whole, such as a puzzle or machinery.

Synonyms

discrepancy, misalignment, mismatch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misfit

Use when referring to a person who does not fit into a particular group or environment.

  • He always felt like a misfit in school.
  • The new employee seemed like a misfit in the corporate culture.
mismatch

Apply when there is a lack of compatibility or suitability between two or more things.

  • Their skills were a mismatch for the job requirements.
  • The colors in her outfit were a complete mismatch.
misalignment

Use when referring to objects or concepts that are not properly aligned or coordinated.

  • There is a misalignment in the machine parts.
  • The misalignment in goals caused the project to fail.
discrepancy

Refer to when there's a difference or inconsistency between two or more things.

  • There was a discrepancy in the reports.
  • We need to address the discrepancies in the data.

Examples of usage

  • The puzzle was missing a piece, leaving a misfit in the middle.
  • The misfit in the engine caused the whole system to malfunction.

Translations

Translations of the word "misfit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desajustado

🇮🇳 अनुपयुक्त

🇩🇪 Außenseiter

🇮🇩 tidak cocok

🇺🇦 невідповідний

🇵🇱 niedopasowany

🇯🇵 不適合者

🇫🇷 inadapté

🇪🇸 inadaptado

🇹🇷 uyumsuz

🇰🇷 부적합한 사람

🇸🇦 غير متكيف

🇨🇿 nepřizpůsobený

🇸🇰 neprispôsobený

🇨🇳 不适应者

🇸🇮 neprilagojen

🇮🇸 óskilgreindur

🇰🇿 бейімделмеген

🇬🇪 მოთავსებული

🇦🇿 uyğunsuz

🇲🇽 inadaptado

Etymology

The word 'misfit' originated in the mid-1800s, combining 'mis-' (meaning 'wrongly') and 'fit' (meaning 'suitable'). It was initially used to describe objects that did not fit correctly. Over time, the term expanded to include people who did not fit into societal norms or groups. The concept of being a misfit has been explored in various literary works and is often associated with themes of nonconformity and individuality.

See also: fit, fitness, fitter, fitting, fittingly, fittingness, outfitting, unfit, unfitness, unfitting.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,363, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.