misfire
2 synonyms for misfire, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To fail to fire or ignite properly, as with a gun or an engine.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To fail to fire or ignite properly, as with a gun or an engine.
“The old rifle misfired twice before finally going off.”
How to use misfire
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the engine misfired
the joke misfired
Etymology
Either a fusion of the older phrase "miss fire" or a direct combination of mis- + fire.
Full origin of misfire →Frequently asked questions
What does “misfire” mean?
The word “misfire” means to fail to fire or ignite properly, as with a gun or an engine. In plain terms, to fail to go off properly, or to fail to work as intended.
How do you pronounce “misfire”?
“Misfire” is pronounced MIHS-feye (/ˈmɪs.faɪ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “misfire” in a sentence?
Here is “misfire” used in a sentence: “The old rifle misfired twice before finally going off.”
What part of speech is “misfire”?
Depending on how it is used, “misfire” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “misfire” have?
“Misfire” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fail to fire or ignite properly, as with a gun or an engine.
