What does mislaid mean?
Mislaid describes something that has been put in the wrong place or cannot be found, usually with the implication that the loss or misplacement is temporary. The phrase "mislaid keys" is particularly familiar, but the word can apply to documents, packages, glasses, phones, and other frequently handled objects. As a verb, mislaid describes the act of losing or unintentionally placing something: a traveller may have mislaid a ticket, or someone may have mislaid a valuable document. The expression often conveys mild frustration and humor rather than serious alarm. It also differs from "lost" in suggesting that the item was deliberately placed somewhere, even if the person responsible cannot now remember where. Mislaid is common in both British and American English and can function as an adjective before a noun or as the past tense and past participle of the verb mislay.
Lost, misplaced, or put in the wrong location, especially temporarily.
"Several mislaid books were returned to the library's front desk."
Common in both British and American English; it often suggests carelessness or forgetfulness rather than deliberate loss.
To lose or put somewhere unintentionally.
"She mislaid her passport somewhere in the airport."
Used as the past tense and past participle of mislay.
Mislaid captures the particular frustration of an object being lost, while its owner is certain that it was deliberately put somewhere.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mislaid come from?
Mislaid combines the prefix mis-, indicating a wrong or contrary action, with the past participle laid. The older verb lay comes from Old English lecgan, meaning "to place, put, or set down." The compound therefore conveys the idea of laying something in the wrong place or subsequently being unable to locate it.
Related word forms
How mislaid is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in everyday British and American English. It generally implies that something has been put down or left somewhere and subsequently cannot be found, rather than that it has been stolen or permanently destroyed.
Easily confused with mislaid
Laid means placed or set down, whereas mislaid means lost or placed in the wrong location.