mistake
n. · v.-
1 an error (n.) A1 Beginnersomething you do that is wrong, incorrect, or not what you intended.
an act or judgement that is misguided or wrong; an unintentional deviation from accuracy or propriety.
ExampleI made a small mistake in the email, but I sent a correction quickly.
ExampleThe accountant discovered a significant mistake in the quarterly report that required several hours of forensic auditing to resolve.
UsageCommonly used with the verb 'make'.
PitfallI did a mistake on the test.I made a mistake on the test.In English, we use the verb 'make' with 'mistake', not 'do'.
-
2 to confuse one thing for another (v.) B1 Intermediateto think that someone or something is someone or something else.
to identify someone or something incorrectly; to confuse a person or thing with another.
ExampleI often mistake her for her sister because they look so similar.
ExampleIt is easy to mistake the symptoms of a common cold for those of more serious seasonal allergies during the spring months.
UsageUsually follows the pattern 'mistake A for B'.
- confuse
- mix up
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
-
3 to misunderstand (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formalto fail to understand a person or a situation correctly.
to misinterpret or fail to understand the nature or meaning of something.
ExamplePlease do not mistake my silence for agreement.
ExampleThe diplomat warned the assembly not to mistake the nation's willingness to negotiate for a lack of military resolve.
- misinterpret
- misunderstand
From Middle English mistaken, from Old Norse mistaka (“to take in error, to miscarry”); equivalent to mis- + take. Cognate with Icelandic mistaka (“to mistake”), Swedish missta (“to mistake”) (before apocope misstaga). The noun, which replaced earlier mistaking, is derived from the verb. Compare Swedish misstag (“mistake”, noun), Faroese mistak (“mitake”, noun), Icelandic mistak (“mistake”, noun).
- Nounmistake
- Adjectiveunmistakable