misplace
to put something in the wrong placeI misplaced my keys and can't find them anywhere.
This means the keys were put somewhere unintentionally and are now lost.
to put something in the wrong place, often unintentionally
She misplaced her phone and spent hours searching for it.
She put her phone somewhere she didn't remember and had to look for it.
I misplaced my wallet at the store and had to retrace my steps.
I left my wallet somewhere in the store without realizing it.
This is a common mistake people make when they are distracted or in a hurry.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'misplace' when you know you put something somewhere but can't remember where.
Word Origin
From 'mis-' (wrong) + 'place' (to put something somewhere). The word has been used since the 16th century.
Usage Notes
This word is often used when someone forgets where they put something and can't find it. It is more common in spoken English than in formal writing.