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

After some miscues earlier in the game, Jackson was lights-out on the Ravens’ final drive. —Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025

But a few special teams miscues and a relentless fourth-quarter blitz by Kansas City were a major factor in Houston’s 23-14 loss. —Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025

Verb

This wayward pass from Burn was presumably intended for right-back Tino Livramento, but was miscued and trickled out of play. —Michael Cox, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

After the break, Raphinha lobbed against the crossbar and Robert Lewandowski miscued when presented with the game’s simplest chance (although a VAR review might have disallowed the goal for offside). —Michael Cox, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024

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