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

The rest of the match was riddled with miscues akin to Atencio’s giveaway, just in smaller moments as attacks were building. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2025

One mistake, miscue, or bad read would initiate a switch at the most crucial position on the field, rippling through all 11 individuals and contributing to one of the worst turnover margins in the nation since 2023. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025

Verb

The Aggies went 4 of 17 from 3-point range and turned it over 14 times, miscues the Tritons converted into 26 points. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for miscue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

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