Meaning & Definition of word "Mistake"

Mistake

/mɪˈsteɪk/

noun:

  • 1. An action or judgment that is misguided or incorrect.
    • Example: It was a mistake to leave the door unlocked.
  • 2. A misunderstanding or misinterpretation.
    • Example: There seems to be a mistake regarding the meeting time.
  • 3. An error in judgment, perception, or action.
    • Example: She realized her mistake when she saw the wrong information.
  • 4. A fault or error resulting from poor judgment, lack of information, or carelessness.
    • Example: His mistake cost the company a lot of money.

verb:

  • 1. To make an error or misjudgment.
    • Example: I mistake his kindness for weakness.
  • 2. To identify wrongly.
    • Example: She mistook him for his brother.
  • 3. To understand or interpret incorrectly.
    • Example: If you mistake my intentions, I will clarify them.

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Germanic, originally meaning 'to take wrongly'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to make a mistake:

To commit an error.

no mistake about it:

Without doubt; certainly.

mistaken identity:

When someone is wrongly identified as another person.

for the sake of a mistake:

To do something that is futile or unnecessary.

it's a mistake to...:

Indicating a wrong conclusion or poor decision-making.

Related Words

error:

A deviation from accuracy or correctness.

blunder:

A gross, stupid, or careless mistake.

misjudgment:

An error in judgment.

oversight:

An unintentional failure to notice or do something.

faux pas:

A social blunder.

Slang Meanings of mistake

Meaning: Oops

Example Sentence: I spilled my drink. Oops!

Meaning: Whoops

Example Sentence: I accidentally sent the email to the wrong person. Whoops!

Meaning: My bad

Example Sentence: I forgot your birthday. My bad!

Meaning: Snafu

Example Sentence: There was a snafu with the delivery.

Meaning: Slip-up

Example Sentence: That was just a little slip-up.