Miter is a word with several related meanings. It can refer to a bishop’s ceremonialused in formal religious or special occasions head covering, but in everyday use it most often refers to a type of anglednot straight; slanting at a sloping position joint used in carpentrythe trade of cutting and building with wood and woodworking.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /"maɪtɚ/
Easy pronunciation: MY-ter (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
This is the noun meaning an angled corner joint, not the bishop’s headdress.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Miter Meaning
an angled corner joint, often cut at 45 degrees
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a joint where two pieces are cut at matching angles so they form a corner
Example: The carpenter cut a clean miter for the picture frame.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- miter joint — The standard term for this kind of corner joint.
- mitre joint — British spelling of the same woodworking term.
- mitre — Alternate spelling used for the joint in some contexts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Miter
Meaning 2
a bishop’s ceremonial hat
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a liturgical headdress worn by bishops on formal occasions
Example: The bishop wore a white miter during the service.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- mitre — Alternate spelling of the ecclesiastical headdress.
Meaning 3
the cut beveled end of a piece of wood
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the surface of a beveled end of a piece where a miter joint is made
Example: He checked the miter before gluing the frame together.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- mitre — Alternate spelling for the beveled end or face.
Meaning 4
cut edges at an angle to form a corner joint
Part of speech: verb
Definition: bevel the edges of, to make a miter joint
Example: You need to miter the trim before installing it.
Meaning 5
install a bishop with a miter
Part of speech: verb
Definition: confer a miter on (a bishop)
Example: The church ceremony mitered the new bishop.
Meaning 6
join pieces with angled cuts so they fit neatly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: fit together in a miter joint
Example: The two pieces miter together at the corner.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Miter Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- miter joint
- mitre joint
- mitre
a bishop’s ceremonial headdress
- mitre
the beveled end or face of a piece where a miter joint is made
- mitre
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse miter with mitre as if they were different words, but they are usually just spelling variants.
- Miter can refer to either a religious headdress or a woodworking joint, so the meaning depends on context.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does miter mean in carpentry?
In carpentry, a miter is an angled joint made by cutting two pieces so they meet neatly at a corner, usually at 45 degrees.
Is miter the same as mitre?
Yes. Miter is the common American spelling, and mitre is the British spelling.
What part of speech is miter?
Miter can be a noun or a verb, depending on how it is used.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.