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Mismatched Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mismatched

[ˌmɪsˈmætʃt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

clothing

Not matching or harmonizing

Synonyms

clashing, discordant, incongruous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mismatched

This word is commonly used when two or more objects, people, or ideas do not match or fit well together, often in a physical or visual sense.

  • Her socks were mismatched, one blue and one green
  • The couple seemed mismatched in terms of interests and lifestyle
clashing

Clashing is typically used when colors, sounds, or personalities are in strong disagreement or conflict, often creating a jarring effect.

  • The red and orange decorations were clashing and hurt my eyes
  • Their opinions on politics were always clashing during discussions
incongruous

Incongruous is used when something does not fit in with its surroundings or is out of place, often in a more abstract or conceptual sense.

  • Her cheerful mood was incongruous with the somber atmosphere of the funeral
  • The modern sculpture looked incongruous in the ancient temple
discordant

This word is often used in a musical or auditory context to describe sounds that do not harmonize well together. It can also describe ideas or styles that conflict.

  • The band's performance was discordant and hard to listen to
  • There was a discordant mix of modern and antique furniture in the room

Examples of usage

  • The socks were mismatched, one blue and one red.
  • Her outfit looked mismatched with that combination of colors.
Context #2 | Verb

relationships

To match incorrectly or unsuitably

Synonyms

clash, disagree, misfit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mismatched

This is best used to describe things that do not match or go well together, often referring to colors, clothing, or items that are supposed to be a set.

  • Her socks were mismatched, one was red and the other was blue.
  • The furniture in the room looked mismatched.
misfit

This term describes a person or thing that does not fit well within a particular group or situation. It can have a negative connotation.

  • He felt like a misfit at the new school.
  • The old chair was a misfit in the modern living room.
disagree

This is used when two or more people have different opinions. It can also refer to things that are inconsistent with each other.

  • They disagree on the best way to solve the problem.
  • The findings disagree with the hypothesis.
clash

This is used when two things are in conflict or do not go well together, often in terms of color, ideas, or opinions.

  • The colors of their outfits really clash.
  • Their personalities tend to clash during discussions.

Examples of usage

  • She felt like they were mismatched in terms of their personalities.
  • They realized they were mismatched in their expectations.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance can occur when people experience mismatched beliefs and actions, leading to mental discomfort.
  • In relationships, mismatched expectations can cause conflict, showing the importance of communication.
  • People often prefer harmony, so spotting mismatches can be a trigger for stress or anxiety.

Pop Culture

  • The concept of mismatched duos is popular in films and TV shows, often resulting in comedic situations, like the classic odd-couple trope.
  • Fashion trends sometimes celebrate mismatched clothing styles, promoting unique self-expression over uniformity.
  • Games like 'Mismatched' challenge players to find pairs, emphasizing the fun in differences.

Literature

  • In storytelling, mismatched characters, such as a hero and a anti-hero, create tension and drive plots.
  • Metaphorical mismatches in poetry often reflect inner conflicts or societal issues, providing depth to themes.
  • Classic tales often explore mismatched love, where characters face obstacles in their relationships.

Science

  • In genetics, mismatched alleles can lead to genetic disorders, emphasizing the importance of genetic compatibility.
  • Mismatch repair is a DNA repair mechanism that corrects errors during DNA replication, crucial for maintaining genetic stability.
  • Ecosystems can become unbalanced if species are mismatched within their environment, affecting biodiversity.

Origin of 'mismatched'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from combining 'mis-' meaning 'badly' or 'wrongly' with 'match,' which means to pair or fit things together.
  • The use of 'mismatch' dates back to at least the 16th century, initially referring to incorrectly paired items.
  • Adding 'mis-' to a word usually suggests a mistake or error in the way something is done.

The word 'mismatched' originated from the verb 'match' with the prefix 'mis-' added to indicate a lack of proper matching. It first appeared in the 17th century in English literature and has since been commonly used in various contexts to describe things that do not go well together or are not properly aligned.

See also: match, matched, matching, matchless, matchstick, outmatch, outmatchable, outmatched, unmatched.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,837, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.