Misread

/ˌmɪsˈriːd/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To read something inaccurately or incorrectly, resulting in misunderstanding.

I misread the instructions and ended up assembling the furniture wrong.

To interpret or understand something wrongly.

She misread his intentions and thought he was being rude.

To fail to understand the meaning of a text or message.

The critic misread the author's tone and gave a harsh review.

From the prefix 'mis-' meaning incorrect, and 'read' meaning to interpret written text.

misread the situation

to misunderstand the circumstances or context.

misread someone's intentions

to interpret someone's actions or words wrongly.

read

To look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed matter.

interpret

To explain the meaning of something.

understand

To grasp the idea, significance, or meaning of something.

To totally get it wrong

I totally misread that vibe; they were just joking.

To have a major misunderstanding

I misread that text, and I thought they were breaking up!