The standard abbreviation for miscellaneous is misc., the first four letters followed by a period. You will see it on budget lines, receipts, file folders, store aisles and spreadsheet columns, anywhere a catchall group holds items that do not fit the other categories.
Miscellaneous means "mixed" or "of various kinds." A "misc." drawer holds batteries, rubber bands and spare keys. Because the word is long and hard to spell, the short form is popular in labels and quick notes, though full sentences usually spell it out.
Quick facts
Abbreviation
misc.Period
Yes in most American writing; often dropped in labelsCapitals
Misc. at the start of a label; MISC in all caps headersPlural
None needed; misc. covers many itemsHow to say it
MISK, or read the whole wordUsed in
Budgets, receipts, forms, folders, store signsMeans
Mixed, assorted, various
The abbreviation for miscellaneous, and when to add a period
Because misc. is a clipped word, most American guides end it with a period, like approx. and dept. In tight spaces such as a column header, a button, a file name or a sticky label, the period is often left off: Misc or MISC.
| Form | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| misc. | Notes, lists, invoices, running text in informal writing |
| Misc. | The first word of a label or list item |
| MISC | All capital headers, codes and form names |
| misc | File names, folder names, quick texts |
Whatever form you pick, use it the same way on the whole page or form.
Where you see misc. in real life
- Budgets: "Misc. expenses" covers small costs like parking, gifts or a broken phone charger.
- Receipts: a register may print "MISC" for an item without its own code.
- Office files: a "Misc" folder collects papers that have no other home.
- Store signs: an aisle marked "Misc. Household" holds a mix of small goods.
- Tax forms: the federal form 1099-MISC reports certain types of miscellaneous income.
On a monthly budget sheet: "Rent, Groceries, Gas, Utilities, Misc." The last line is the catchall for anything that is not one of the named costs. If that line keeps growing, it may be time to give some of those costs their own category.
Miscellaneous abbreviation in sentences
In formal writing, such as a school essay or a business letter, spell out the full word in sentences. Save misc. for lists, tables and notes.
- "Packing list: shoes, jackets, misc. toiletries."
- "The invoice adds a misc. fee for delivery."
- "Put the cables in the misc. bin."
- "We picked up some miscellaneous supplies for the party." (spelled out in a full sentence)
For a full guide to cutting words down cleanly, see how to abbreviate.
How to say misc. and spell the full word
When reading aloud, most people say the whole word, "miss-uh-LAY-nee-us." In casual talk you will also hear "misk," as in "toss it in the misk pile." Either is fine in speech.
The full word trips up many spellers. Remember the pieces: mis + cell + aneous. It has one s at the start, a c before the double l, and ends in -eous. Similar words include simultaneous and instantaneous.
Words and labels close to misc.
A few other short forms show up next to misc. on the same lists:
- etc. means "and so on" at the end of a list, while misc. names a group of mixed items.
- addl. means additional, as in an extra fee.
- acc. or accy. is used for accessories in store lists.
- "Other" and "assorted" are plain words that can replace misc. when space allows.
The common abbreviations hub lists many more.
Questions people ask
What is the abbreviation for miscellaneous?
It is misc., with a period in most American writing. Labels and file names often drop the period and write Misc or MISC.
Is misc. capitalized?
Only at the start of a label or sentence, or in all caps headers. In the middle of a list it is usually lowercase, misc.
How do you pronounce misc?
Many people read it as the full word, miscellaneous. In casual speech, "misk" is also common.
Can I use misc. in an essay?
In formal writing, spell out miscellaneous in full sentences. The short form fits lists, tables, notes and labels.
What is the difference between misc. and etc.?
Misc. names a group of mixed items, like a misc. folder. Etc. goes at the end of a list to mean "and so on."