misfire

1 of 2

verb

mis·​fire ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r 

misfired; misfiring; misfires

intransitive verb

1

: to have the explosive or propulsive charge fail to ignite at the proper time

the engine misfired

2

: to fail to fire

the gun misfired

3

: to miss an intended effect or objective

the new ad campaign misfired

misfire

2 of 2

noun

mis·​fire ˌmis-ˈfī(-ə)r 

ˈmis-ˌfī(-ə)r

1

: a failure (as of a cartridge or firearm) to fire

2

: something that misfires

Synonyms

Verb

• miscarry

Examples of misfire in a Sentence

Verb

their scheme to rob the bank misfired disastrously and landed them all in jail

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Derrick White all misfired on shot attempts. —Jay King, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

Shortstop Anthony Volpe misfired on a throw to third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. —Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

The actress instead battles endless dead air in this sloppy metaphor for grief — a supernatural misfire that’s peppered with gross-out gags and jump-scares that are uncomfortable but rarely compelling. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025

Back in 2016, Lee’s major career misfire, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, followed his directing Oscar win for Life of Pi. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misfire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

Kids Definition

misfire

verb

mis·​fire

(ˈ)mis-ˈfī(ə)r

1

: to have the explosive or driving charge fail to ignite at the proper time

the engine misfired

2

: to fail to fire

the gun misfired

3

: to miss an intended effect

the plan misfired

misfire noun