Mistake — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /mə-ˈstāk/ mis·take

Meaning & Definition of Mistake

Mistake (verb)

  1. to blunder in the choice of
  2. to misunderstand the meaning or intention of, misinterpret
  3. to make a wrong judgment of the character or ability of

Mistake (noun)

  1. a wrong judgment, misunderstanding
  2. something that is not correct, a wrong action or statement proceeding from faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge, or inattention

Mistake (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a wrong judgment

    "they made a mistake when they thought the young pitcher was ready to be called up to the major leagues"

    similar: misapprehension, miscalculation, misjudging, misjudgment, misstep, slip, slipup
    related: blunder, boner, boob (British), clinker, errancy, error, fault, flub, fumble, gaffe, goof, inaccuracy, lapse, miscue, stumble, trip, foul-up, muff, misstatement, misconception, misconstruction, misconstruing, misimpression, misinterpretation, misprision, misunderstanding

  2. an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy

    "made a mistake on the exam that almost cost her a passing grade"

    similar: blunder, bobble, boo-boo, boob (British), brick, clanger (British), clinker, error, fault, flub, fluff, fumble, gaff, gaffe, goof, inaccuracy, lapse, miscue, misstep, oversight, screwup, slip, slipup, stumble, trip
    related: bloomer, blooper, boner, howler, pratfall, foul-up, snafu, misapprehension, miscalculation, miscomprehension, misconception, misconstruction, misdescription, misimpression, misinterpretation, misjudgment, misreading, misstatement, misunderstanding
    near: accuracy, correctness, exactitude, exactness, preciseness, precision, strictness, inerrancy, infallibility, perfection

Mistake (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of

    "the auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I don't even like"

    similar: misapprehend, misconstrue, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misread, miss, misunderstand
    related: misconceive, misdeem, misjudge, mishear
    opposite: appreciate, apprehend, catch, comprehend, conceive, fathom, get, grasp, grok, know, make out, penetrate, perceive, savvy, see, seize, take in, understand

  2. to make an incorrect judgment regarding

    "you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily"

    similar: miscalculate, misconceive, misdeem, misestimate, misgauge, misjudge, mismeasure
    related: misapprehend, misconstrue, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misunderstand, overestimate, overrate, overvalue, misesteem, underestimate, underrate, undervalue, miscount, misreckon

  3. to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related

    "she mistook physical attraction for love"

    similar: conflate, confound, confuse, mix (up)
    related: lump (together), misapply, miscall, misidentify, misname
    opposite: difference, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, separate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mistake

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mistake:

British: boob, clanger
misapprehension, miscalculation, misjudging, misjudgment, misstep, slip, slipup, blunder, bobble, boo-boo, brick, clinker, error, fault, flub, fluff, fumble, gaff, gaffe, goof, inaccuracy, lapse, miscue, oversight, screwup, stumble, trip, misapprehend, misconstrue, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misread, miss, misunderstand, miscalculate, misconceive, misdeem, misestimate, misgauge

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Mistake

Words with the opposite meaning of Mistake:

appreciate, apprehend, catch, comprehend, conceive, fathom, get, grasp, grok, know, make out, penetrate, perceive, savvy, see, seize, take in, understand, difference, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, separate

Related Words for Mistake

boner, errancy, foul-up, muff, misstatement, misconception, misconstruction, misconstruing, misimpression, misinterpretation, misprision, misunderstanding, bloomer, blooper, howler, pratfall, snafu, miscomprehension, misdescription, misreading, mishear, overestimate, overrate, overvalue, misesteem, underestimate, underrate, undervalue, miscount, misreckon

Near Antonyms of Mistake

accuracy, correctness, exactitude, exactness, preciseness, precision, strictness, inerrancy, infallibility, perfection

Word Forms of Mistake

Inflections: mistook, mistaken, mistaking

Derived words: mistakenly (adverb), mistaker (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Mistake

Middle English

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Mistake

Words & Phrases Containing Mistake

make no mistake, and no mistake, by mistake, honest mistake

Frequently Asked Questions about Mistake

What does "Mistake" mean?

"Mistake" means to blunder in the choice of. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to blunder in the choice of. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mistake"?

Other words for "Mistake" include misapprehension, miscalculation, misjudging, misjudgment, misstep, slip, slipup and blunder. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Mistake" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Mistake"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Mistake". Common alternatives include misapprehension, miscalculation, misjudging, misjudgment, misstep, slip, slipup, blunder, bobble and boo-boo.

What is the opposite of "Mistake"?

Antonyms of "Mistake" include appreciate, apprehend, catch, comprehend, conceive, fathom, get and grasp. Near antonyms include accuracy, correctness, exactitude and exactness.

How do you use "Mistake" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mistake" in a sentence: "they made a mistake when they thought the young pitcher was ready to be called up to the major leagues"; "made a mistake on the exam that almost cost her a passing grade"; "the auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I don't even like".

Is "Mistake" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Mistake" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Mistake" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Mistake" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Mistake"?

"Mistake" is pronounced /mə-ˈstāk/ and divided into syllables as mis·take.