miscellany

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'miscellany' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a collection of various items, typically of a particular kind. For example, you might say, "This book is a miscellany of old folk tales, collected by various authors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

My approach had always been more of a woozy supermarket sweep, and it meant I'd built up a curious one-track miscellany.

The Guardian - Music

But things being as they are, the miscellany of dismal fatwas and communiqués that precede and follow al-Qaeda's attacks provide useful clues, both about future targets and about how the terrorists intend to mobilise wider Muslim opinion behind their cause.One recent trend is that al-Qaeda is pushing Palestine up its list of priorities.

The Economist

Activists have launched an online campaign demanding that the opposition Syrian National Coalition, the main representative of the opposition, issue passports.The global stateless population includes "bidoon" a miscellany of nomadic and ethnic groups, many of them Bedouins, never recognised by Gulf states and Rohingya Muslims denied citizenship in Myanmar.

The Economist

The best term associated with walking is not English at all: the French flâner, he writes, is "a truly wonderful word…it can mean to stroll, but it can also mean the act of simply hanging around".This book is no mere miscellany, but the story of a man's love affair with the oldest means of locomotion: one foot in front of the other.

The Economist

Yet he never strays far from his true interest, reading itself.As befits a miscellany, "Curiosity", his latest work, is really many books in one: ruminations on life's big questions, answers from the great books of the past, a loving homage to Dante and thoughts on curiosity itself.

The Economist

Adding injury to insult, they feel that a miscellany of outsiders has long reaped the lion's share of their immense natural wealth.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The labours of Topelius in the children's field and of Elias Lönnrot (compiler of the great Finnish epic-miscellany the Kalevala, 1835) in the field of national folklore constituted the soil from which Finnish children's literature was eventually to derive nutriment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Miscellanies filled with jokes, quotes and fun facts proliferated, promising to teach, as John Cotgrave's "Wits Interpreter" put it, "the art of drinking, by a most learned method".

The Economist

Though he ranges across many genres, he is best known for artfully arranged miscellanies about books and libraries.In this section New on the Rialto Blood earth A man for all seasons Cabinet of curiosity How to remember Born to be wild ReprintsReading Mr Manguel is like taking a city walk or an unhurried meal with an erudite, cosmopolitan friend.

The Economist

His Quodlibeta ("Miscellanies") was first published in Venice, 1527.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of the first and best-known miscellanies in English was the collection of poems by various authors published by Richard Tottel in 1557.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "miscellany" when you want to describe a collection of various items, especially when they are diverse or not closely related. For example, "The museum's collection is a miscellany of artifacts from different cultures."

Common error

While "miscellany" is a valid word, overuse can make your writing sound affected. Consider using more specific terms like "collection", "assortment", or "anthology" depending on the context to provide greater clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The word "miscellany" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a collection of diverse items or writings. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe various collections, from musical rarities to literary works. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "miscellany" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that denotes a collection of diverse items. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across various contexts. It's commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic writing. While appropriate in formal settings, it's crucial to consider if more specific alternatives like "assortment" or "anthology" might provide better clarity. When using "miscellany", be mindful of potential overuse, as simpler or more descriptive terms often offer a more direct and concise alternative. The provided examples from Ludwig showcase its application in diverse scenarios, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assortment

Emphasizes a variety of different items.

collection

A general term for gathered items.

anthology

Specifically refers to a collection of writings.

compilation

Highlights the act of gathering items together.

potpourri

Suggests a mix of things, often with a pleasant association.

variety

Focuses on the diverse nature of the items.

hodgepodge

Implies a disorganized or random collection.

mixed bag

Indicates a collection with both good and bad elements.

motley collection

Highlights the diverse and often incongruous nature of the items.

omnium-gatherum

Refers to a collection of miscellaneous items.

FAQs

How can I use "miscellany" in a sentence?

You can use "miscellany" to describe a collection of various items. For example, "The book is a delightful "miscellany" of essays and poems."

What's a good synonym for "miscellany"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "assortment", "collection", or "anthology" instead of "miscellany".

Is it appropriate to use "miscellany" in formal writing?

Yes, "miscellany" is appropriate in formal writing, but be mindful of overuse. More specific terms might be preferable for clarity.

What is the difference between "miscellany" and "hodgepodge"?

"Miscellany" refers to a diverse collection, while "hodgepodge" often implies a disorganized or random collection.