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Mishearing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mishearing

[ˌmɪsˈhɪrɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

auditory misunderstanding

Mishearing refers to the act of hearing something incorrectly or misunderstanding what has been said. It can occur due to various factors, such as background noise, unclear pronunciation, or cognitive distractions. This phenomenon is common in everyday communication and can lead to humorous or confusing exchanges.

Synonyms

confusion, mistake, misunderstanding.

Examples of usage

  • I had a mishearing of the song lyrics.
  • Her mishearing of my name made us both laugh.
  • Due to his mishearing, he thought I invited him to dinner instead of the party.
  • Mishearing technical instructions can cause mistakes.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'mishearing'

The term 'mishearing' is a compound of the prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' or 'badly' and the verb 'hear'. The prefix 'mis-' has its roots in Old English and is used to indicate a mistake or error in action or condition. The word 'hear' comes from Old English 'hērān', meaning 'to perceive sound', which has been in use since before the 12th century. Over time, 'mishearing' developed as a specific term to refer to the failure to perceive sounds or spoken words accurately, capturing the focus on auditory communication and the errors that can occur in this process. Usage of 'mishearing' has become particularly relevant in the context of language learning and communication, emphasizing the importance of clarity in spoken interactions.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,561, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.