Misfit: meaning, definitions and examples
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misfit
[ ˈmɪs.fɪt ]
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?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
misfit |
Same as above, since it was repeated
|
outsider |
This is suitable for someone who is not part of a specific group or community, often implying a sense of exclusion or alienation.
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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.
|
rebel |
This term is appropriate for someone who actively resists authority or established conventions, often carrying a more intense and sometimes negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- She always felt like a misfit in high school.
- Despite his best efforts, he remained a misfit in the corporate world.
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?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
misfit |
Use when referring to a person who does not fit into a particular group or environment.
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mismatch |
Apply when there is a lack of compatibility or suitability between two or more things.
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misalignment |
Use when referring to objects or concepts that are not properly aligned or coordinated.
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discrepancy |
Refer to when there's a difference or inconsistency between two or more things.
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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.
- ...
- 25360 cherishing
- 25361 shackled
- 25362 mesmerized
- 25363 misfit
- 25364 drummed
- 25365 equalling
- 25366 grope
- ...