Word
misplaced
Phoneticsmis·placed, stress on the second syllable
US/mɪsˈpɫeɪst/
UK/mɪsplˈeɪst/
Definitions
01lost or in the wrong spot
B1 · Intermediate
adj. lost because you put it in the wrong place and cannot find it.
adj. describing a physical object that has been put in an incorrect or forgotten location.
“I spent twenty minutes looking for my misplaced car keys this morning.”
“The archivist eventually discovered the misplaced ledger tucked behind a stack of unrelated nineteenth-century correspondence.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
02inappropriate or poorly directed
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. used to describe a feeling or idea that is directed at the wrong person or thing.
adj. describing an emotion, attribute, or action that is directed toward an inappropriate object or person.
“His trust in the dishonest salesman was unfortunately misplaced.”
“The manager's misplaced confidence in the junior developer led to a significant delay in the project's final deployment phase.”
Usage
Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'trust', 'confidence', 'loyalty', or 'optimism'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03feeling out of place
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. feeling like you do not belong in a certain place or situation.
adj. experiencing a sense of being out of place or socially uncomfortable in one's current environment.
“She felt misplaced at the fancy party where she didn't know anyone.”
“As a quiet scholar in a room full of aggressive politicians, he felt deeply misplaced and struggled to find common ground for conversation.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The avid trekker misplaced a satellite beacon he was travelling with days before he set off on the 120km hike, raising further concerns.” “After that, every misplaced pass, heavy touch or missed chance can seem like proof that something is off.” “She seemed to decide that her priorities had been ever so slightly misplaced.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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