# misread

/mɪsˈɹɛd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/misread
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to read text incorrectly

verb · CEFR B2

to read words or numbers wrongly, often by mistake.

For teachers: to read a text or data incorrectly, resulting in a factual error.

- I misread the bus timetable and arrived an hour too early.
- The technician misread the pressure gauge, leading to a minor but costly delay in the production cycle.

Usage: Transitive; takes a direct object such as a map, sign, or document.

### 2. to misunderstand a situation

verb · CEFR B2

to fail to understand a person's feelings or the true meaning of a situation.

For teachers: to misinterpret the significance of a situation, social cue, or person's intentions.

- He completely misread her silence, thinking she was angry when she was just tired.
- Political analysts often misread the public mood, failing to predict the outcome of the election until the final votes were counted.

Usage: Often used with abstract objects like 'mood', 'intentions', or 'signals'.

### 3. an error in reading

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

an instance where you read or understand something wrongly.

For teachers: an instance of misreading or misinterpreting information.

- The error was caused by a simple misread of the original contract.
- A single misread of the data could compromise the entire integrity of the scientific study.

## Examples

- I misread the instructions and used the wrong color.
- The student misread the question and answered a different part of the exam instead of the one requested.
- The historian argued that the treaty was misread by both sides, leading to a series of misunderstandings that eventually triggered the conflict.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.