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Webster 1913 Edition

Misuse

Mis-use′

(mĭs-ūz′)
,
Verb.
T.
[F.
mésuser
. See
Mis-
, prefix from French, and
Use
.]
1.
To treat or use improperly; to use to a bad purpose; to misapply;
as, to
misuse
one’s talents
.
South.
The sweet poison of
misused
wine.
Milton.
2.
To abuse; to treat ill.
O, she
misused
me past the endurance of a block.
Shakespeare
Syn. – To maltreat; abuse; misemploy; misapply.

Mis-use′

(mĭs-ūs′)
,
Noun.
1.
Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use.
Words little suspected for any such
misuse
.
Locke.
2.
Violence, or its effects.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition

Misuse

MISUSE

,
Verb.
T.
misyu'ze.

Definition 2024

misuse

misuse

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /mɪsˈjuːs/

Noun

misuse ‎(plural misuses)

  1. An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.
    • 2012 June 4, Lewis Smith, “Queen's English Society says enuf is enough, innit?”, in the Guardian:
      The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.
Translations

Etymology 2

mis- +‎ use (verb)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /mɪsˈjuːz/

Verb

misuse ‎(third-person singular simple present misuses, present participle misusing, simple past and past participle misused or (obsolete) misust)

  1. (transitive) To use (something) incorrectly.
  2. (transitive) To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).
  3. (obsolete, transitive) To abuse verbally, to insult.
Translations

Etymology

mis- +‎ use (noun)

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