Mislay

To misplace something; to put something in a place and then forget where that place is, resulting in its loss until discovered again. It implies a temporary or accidental loss, rather than deliberate hiding or permanent loss. The item might be found again, potentially in a location where it doesn't belong. The action often involves carelessness, distraction, or a lapse in memory. Mislaying differs from 'losing,' which denotes a more permanent absence or a less specific understanding of where the item has gone. The emphasis is on the act of unintentional placement and subsequent forgetting, leading to temporary non-availability.

Mislay meaning with examples

• Sarah was late for her meeting because she'd mislaid her car keys. She checked all the usual places – her handbag, the coat pockets, and the kitchen counter – before finally finding them under a pile of unopened mail on the dining table. The stress of the morning rush clearly contributed to her forgetfulness.
• The archaeologist carefully documented each artifact before placing them in the storage room. However, due to the large number of items, he frequently mislaid some of the more delicate pieces, leading to frantic searches later. Proper organization and labeling significantly reduced this unfortunate trend.
• During the move, the movers mislaid several boxes containing essential documents. Despite careful packing, the chaos of the relocation meant that some items were temporarily missing. Tracking down the errant boxes became a top priority, impacting the overall project progress.
• While searching for a good book to read, she managed to mislay her reading glasses. After searching everywhere, they were eventually discovered tucked into the pages of a different novel she'd pulled off the shelf. The irony didn’t escape her.