miscast: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal (in critical reviews), Neutral (general commentary), Informal (casual criticism).
Quick answer
What does “miscast” mean?
To assign an actor a role unsuitable for their talent, appearance, or type.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To assign an actor a role unsuitable for their talent, appearance, or type.
To allocate a person or thing to a role, task, or position for which they are fundamentally unsuited.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both use the term identically in theatrical and metaphorical contexts.
Connotations
Identical; implies a clear error in judgment.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK media and theatrical discourse, but standard in both.
Grammar
How to Use “miscast” in a Sentence
BE miscast as [ROLE]miscast SB as [ROLE]BE miscast in [PRODUCTION]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miscast” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The director miscast the lead, ruining the play's credibility.
- He has been miscast as a romantic hero in this new film.
American English
- The studio miscast a comedian in the dramatic role.
- She felt miscast in the administrative position.
adjective
British English
- The miscast actor struggled with the dialect.
- It was a miscast production from the start.
American English
- The reviews focused on the miscast lead actor.
- His miscast performance was widely panned.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The new manager was miscast in a purely technical role; his strengths are in people leadership."
Academic
"The historian argued that the 19th-century figure has been miscast by posterity as a mere reactionary."
Everyday
"I felt completely miscast as the organiser of the stag do; I'm terrible at planning."
Technical
Used almost exclusively in performing arts criticism and analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “miscast”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “miscast”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miscast”
- Using it for objects only (e.g., 'The tool was miscast' is very rare). Using it without the 'as' or 'in' structure (e.g., 'They miscast him' is incomplete).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's commonly used metaphorically for any situation where a person is placed in an unsuitable job or role.
It's a mid-frequency word, common in arts criticism and formal/informed commentary, but not used daily by most people.
The noun is 'miscasting' (e.g., 'The miscasting of the lead was the film's fatal flaw.').
It's very rare and non-standard. Typically, the misjudgment is ascribed to an external agent (director, company, fate).
To assign an actor a role unsuitable for their talent, appearance, or type.
Miscast is usually formal (in critical reviews), neutral (general commentary), informal (casual criticism). in register.
Miscast: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈkɑːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈkæst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A square peg in a round hole (metaphorical equivalent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MIS-CAST: think of a MIStake in the CASTing process.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS THEATER / ROLES ARE ASSIGNMENTS (A person is an actor, a job/life situation is a role).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'miscast' used most literally?