Mishear: meaning, definitions and examples

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mishear

[ mɪsˈhɪr ]

Verb

^{Context #1 | Verb}

incorrect listening

To mishear means to hear something incorrectly or to misunderstand what has been said. This can happen due to various factors, such as poor acoustics, background noise, or the speaker's mumbling. Mishearing often results in confusion, as the listener forms an incorrect interpretation of the message. It can lead to humorous situations or misunderstandings in conversation. People may often ask for clarification if they believe they have misheard something significant.

Synonyms

misinterpret, mistake, misunderstand, overhear incorrectly.

Examples of usage

I often mishear song lyrics.
He tends to mishear directions when they are given quickly.
Many people mishear jokes, which can lead to awkward silence.
If you mishear her name, just ask her to repeat it.

Translations

Translations of the word "mishear" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ouvir mal

🇮🇳 गलत समझना

🇩🇪 missverstehen

🇮🇩 salah dengar

🇺🇦 не почути

🇵🇱 źle usłyszeć

🇯🇵 聞き間違える

🇫🇷 mal entendre

🇪🇸 malinterpretar

🇹🇷 yanlış duymak

🇰🇷 잘못 듣다

🇸🇦 سماع بشكل خاطئ

🇨🇿 špatně slyšet

🇸🇰 zle počuť

🇨🇳 听错

🇸🇮 narobe slišati

🇮🇸 heyra rangt

🇰🇿 қате есту

🇬🇪 არასწორად მოსმენა

🇦🇿 səhv eşitmək

🇲🇽 malentender

Etymology

The term 'mishear' is formed by the prefix 'mis-', which originates from Old English 'mis-', meaning 'wrongly' or 'badly', and the verb 'hear', which comes from the Old English 'hyran', meaning 'to hear, listen to'. The earliest recorded use of 'mishear' can be traced back to the late 19th century. Initially, the term was not widely used, but over the years it has become increasingly common, particularly in discussions about communication errors. The rise of modern communication technologies and social media has likely contributed to an increased awareness of mishearing, emphasizing its relevance in everyday conversations. As people interact through various mediums, the potential for miscommunication expands, leading to a greater need for clarity and understanding in speech.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,561, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.

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