miscue

1 of 2

noun

mis·​cue ˌmis-ˈkyü 

ˈmis-ˌkyü

1

: a faulty stroke in billiards in which the cue slips

2

: mistake, slip

miscue

2 of 2

verb

miscued; miscuing; miscues

intransitive verb

: to make a miscue

Synonyms

Noun

• blunder
• bobble
• boo-boo
• boob [British]
• brick
• clanger [British]
• clinker
• error
• fault
• flub
• fluff
• fumble
• gaff
• gaffe
• goof
• inaccuracy
• lapse
• misstep
• mistake
• oversight
• screwup
• slip
• slipup
• stumble
• trip

Examples of miscue in a Sentence

Noun

the slightest miscue could make the trapeze artist lose his grip and fall to the mat below

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There were giveaways, defensive miscues, untimely turnovers — far from what the Panthers need from one of their top blue liners. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 May 2024

Turnovers and other miscues marred the home team’s first half. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024

Verb

The Sea Lions went 4-for-12 from 3-point range in the first half and shot one free throw (Barnes made it) while turning it over seven times, miscues the visitors turned into nine points. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024

Kerr missed a chance to equalize again with a header in the 82nd and miscued another shot as Australia squandered three opportunities before Hemp set up Russo to finish off the scoring. —John Pye, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1889, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

miscue

1 of 2 noun

mis·​cue (ˈ)mis-ˈkyü 

1

: a faulty stroke in billiards in which the cue slips

2

: mistake entry 2 sense 2, slip

miscue

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a miscue

2

a

: to miss a stage cue

b

: to answer a wrong cue