misc

IPA/mˈɪsk/
IPA/mˈɪsk/

misc — abbreviation

1. a short written form of 'miscellaneous', used to label mixed extra items in list

1.abbreviationB1
Definition

a short written form of 'miscellaneous', used to label mixed extra items in lists, folders, forms, and expense records

Example

The office filed the taxi receipt under misc. travel expenses.

misc. + expense label in office records

Sahil moved the extra cables into a box marked misc. items.

misc. used on a storage label

Common collocations
  • misc. items
  • misc. supplies
  • misc. expenses
  • misc. files
  • misc. notes
Synonyms
  • miscellaneous

    the full adjective, used in both speech and writing

  • assorted

    describes mixed items, but not specifically as a written label

  • various

    broader and more neutral, often used in running text instead of a category tag

Grammar Patterns

misc. + plural noun

under misc. + category label

misc. in lists, folders, and spreadsheets

Usage Note

Used almost only in writing, especially on labels, lists, folders, and expense sheets. In speech, people normally say 'miscellaneous' or use a more exact category name instead.

Common Mistakes

She bought some misc.
She bought some miscellaneous items.
The abbreviation usually appears before a noun or as a written label, not as a normal spoken noun.
Please read misc. aloud in the meeting.
Please say miscellaneous items in the meeting.
In speech, people normally use the full word instead of reading the abbreviation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: abbreviation/1

Misc. is not a separate everyday adjective with its own meaning. It is the written short form of miscellaneous, and it usually appears in labels, file names, notes, or tables where space is limited. Miscellaneous is the full word and works in speech and normal sentences. Assorted also describes mixed things, but it usually suggests a selection gathered together, not a filing label. Other is much broader and only means 'different additional ones', without the idea of a mixed category. A budget line saying 'misc. expenses' is natural, but in speech people usually say 'miscellaneous expenses' or simply 'extra expenses'.

misc.miscellaneous ↗assorted ↗other ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • misc. items
  • misc. supplies
  • misc. expenses
  • under misc. + label

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Misc. is a shortened written form of miscellaneous. The full word came into English from Latin miscellaneus, built from miscere, meaning 'to mix'. Because of that history, both forms still refer to things of different kinds gathered together.

First known use

2020

2020, in the meaning defined above