verb
miscarry
mis-KAR-ee
Miscarry (verb) means to lose a pregnancy before the foetus can survive outside the womb. Example: “She miscarried in the tenth week of her pregnancy.”
verb
1
To lose a pregnancy before the foetus can survive outside the womb.
"She miscarried in the tenth week of her pregnancy."
"Doctors explained why some women miscarry more than once."
"The couple were devastated when the pregnancy miscarried."
2
To fail to succeed, especially when a plan, project or piece of business goes wrong.
"The negotiations miscarried after both sides refused to compromise."
"Their scheme to expand the business miscarried within a year."
"He worried the whole plan would miscarry at the last minute."
How to use miscarry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lose a pregnancy early, or for a plan to go badly wrong.
When to use it
It suits both sensitive personal contexts and more formal talk of failed plans or deals.
Memory tip
Keep mis- in mind as a sign something has gone wrong, not just any kind of carrying.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
the plan miscarried
miscarry repeatedly
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Doctors explained why some women _____ more than once.
Etymology
Miscarry comes from the Middle English miscarien. Taken at face value, it looks like a combination of mis- and carry.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for miscarry
See all rhymes for miscarry →Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to miscarry?
It usually means to lose a pregnancy before the baby could survive, though it can also mean a plan or piece of business fails.
Can miscarry be used for something other than pregnancy?
Yes, it can describe a project, negotiation or business scheme that goes wrong or does not succeed.
What is the noun form of miscarry?
The related noun is miscarriage.
What is the meaning of miscarry?
"miscarry" (verb) means to lose a pregnancy before the foetus can survive outside the womb.
