Definition

To place a document or item in the wrong location or order when organizing files.

Example

I accidentally misfiled the report, so now I can't find it.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I can't believe I had to redo the entire project today.

What happened? Did you lose your work?

No, I just misfiled the documents, and it took forever to find them.

That sounds frustrating! I hate when that happens.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Misfile → It is formed from "mis-" (meaning wrongly or badly) and "file" (from Old French *filer*, meaning to arrange or put in order). The word "misfile" means to arrange or put in order wrongly.

Memory Tip

Think of doing something 'wrongly' ('mis-') when you 'arrange' ('file') documents — that's why misfile means to incorrectly organize files.

Visually Confused Words