miscarry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Medical
Quick answer
What does “miscarry” mean?
To fail to achieve an intended purpose or outcome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To fail to achieve an intended purpose or outcome; to go wrong or be unsuccessful.
To suffer the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable; (of a plan, message, etc.) to fail to reach its destination or achieve its goal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term in medical and general contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the medical sense carries strong emotional weight. The general sense is formal and somewhat literary.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in medical contexts, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “miscarry” in a Sentence
[Subject] miscarries[Subject] miscarried [Object (rare)][Subject] miscarried at [Time/Stage]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miscarry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She miscarried in her second trimester.
- The royal courier's message miscarried, leading to confusion.
American English
- Unfortunately, she miscarried last week.
- Without proper oversight, the project miscarried.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The merger miscarried due to regulatory issues.'
Academic
Used in medical, historical, and literary studies.
Everyday
Primarily used in the medical sense. The general sense is formal/archaic.
Technical
Standard term in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miscarry”
- Using 'miscarriage' as a verb (e.g., 'She miscarriage').
- Confusing 'miscarry' (intransitive) with 'abort' (can be transitive).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has a second, more formal meaning: for a plan or message to fail or go astray. However, the medical sense is far more common.
The noun form is 'miscarriage' (e.g., 'She had a miscarriage').
It is almost always intransitive. You don't 'miscarry something'; the subject (woman, plan) simply 'miscarries'.
In the medical context, it is the standard, clinical term. Sensitivity is required due to the emotional nature of the subject, but the word itself is not offensive.
To fail to achieve an intended purpose or outcome.
Miscarry is usually formal, medical in register.
Miscarry: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈkær.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈker.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The letter miscarried and fell into the wrong hands.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'carrier' who fails (mis-carries) to deliver the package (a baby or a plan) successfully.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JOURNEY INTERRUPTED (the pregnancy/plan fails to reach its destination).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'miscarry' most commonly used today?