# abusage

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abusage
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the wrong or improper use of a word or phrase. It is a more formal and old-fashioned way to talk about making a mistake with language.

For teachers: the incorrect or improper use of a word, phrase, or grammatical construction. Often used in literary or formal contexts to describe linguistic errors.

## Examples

- The essay contains several instances of abusage.
- The professor pointed out the abusage of the word 'discuss' in the student's research paper.
- While modern style guides often overlook minor abusage in casual speech, formal academic writing requires a strict adherence to traditional grammar and syntax.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.