English Reference

Word

miscommunication

Phoneticsmis·com·mu·ni·ca·tion

US/mɪskəmˌjunəˈkeɪʃən/

UK/mɪskəmjˌuːnɪkˈeɪʃən/

Definition

n. a mistake in how information is shared or understood. It usually happens when people do not talk clearly or listen carefully enough.

n. a failure to communicate effectively, resulting in a misunderstanding or confusion. Often used to explain errors in professional or interpersonal contexts.

Examples

“The project delay was due to a simple miscommunication.”

“The two departments had a miscommunication regarding the deadline, which led to the final report being submitted late.”

“What began as a minor miscommunication regarding the delivery schedule eventually escalated into a full-blown dispute between the logistics team and the client's representatives.”

Examples

simple

“The project delay was due to a simple miscommunication.”

contextual

“The two departments had a miscommunication regarding the deadline, which led to the final report being submitted late.”

complex

“What began as a minor miscommunication regarding the delivery schedule eventually escalated into a full-blown dispute between the logistics team and the client's representatives.”

Real-World Examples

“With so many opinions on what a cortado is, there’s plenty of room for miscommunication – whether you want to order one, or serve it to customers.”
Perfect Daily Grind · 2 Mar 2020
“Yesterday’s miscommunication, as tragic as it was, was not born out of ill will.”
The Guardian · 21 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference