Dictionary

1mistake

verb mis·take \mə-ˈstāk\

: to understand (something or someone) incorrectly

: to make a wrong judgment about (something)

: to identify (someone or something) incorrectly

mis·took \-ˈstk\ mis·tak·en \-ˈstā-kən\ mis·tak·ing

Full Definition of MISTAKE

transitive verb
1
:  to blunder in the choice of <mistook her way in the dark>
2
a :  to misunderstand the meaning or intention of :  misinterpret <don't mistake me, I mean exactly what I said>
b :  to make a wrong judgment of the character or ability of
3
:  to identify wrongly :  confuse with another <I mistook him for his brother>
intransitive verb
:  to be wrong <you mistook when you thought I laughed at you — Thomas Hardy>
mis·tak·en·ly adverb
mis·tak·er noun
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Origin of MISTAKE

Middle English
First Known Use: 14th century

2mistake

noun

: something that is not correct : a wrong action, statement, or judgment

Full Definition of MISTAKE

1
:  a wrong judgment :  misunderstanding
2
:  a wrong action or statement proceeding from faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge, or inattention

First Known Use of MISTAKE

1600

Synonym Discussion of MISTAKE

error, mistake, blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true, right, or proper. error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this <procedural errors>. mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error <dialed the wrong number by mistake>. blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame <diplomatic blunders>. slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes <a slip of the tongue>. lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause <a lapse in judgment>.
MISTAKENLY Defined for Kids

1mistake

verb mis·take \mə-ˈstāk\
mis·took \mə-ˈstk\mis·tak·en \mə-ˈstā-kən\mis·tak·ing

Definition of MISTAKE for Kids

1
:  misunderstand <It was easy to mistake her message.>
2
:  to fail to recognize correctly <She mistook me for someone else.>

2mistake

noun

Definition of MISTAKE for Kids

1
:  a wrong judgment or action <She was accused by mistake.>
2
:  something that is incorrect <Correct the mistakes on your paper.>

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Next Word in the Dictionary: mister (noun)Previous Word in the Dictionary: mistakableAll Words Near: mistake
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