Misreading: meaning, definitions and examples

📚
Add to dictionary

misreading

 

[ ˌmɪsˈriːdɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

inaccuracy

The act or habit of interpreting something incorrectly; an instance of misinterpreting.

Synonyms

error, misinterpretation, mistake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
misreading

Used when talking about incorrectly interpreting written information or signals.

  • He had a misreading of the text and didn't understand the message
  • The confusion was due to a misreading of the instructions
misinterpretation

Used when someone misunderstands the meaning, intention, or information, often leading to confusion or incorrect conclusions.

  • The movie scene led to a misinterpretation of the director’s intentions
  • Her anger was due to a misinterpretation of his words
error

Used in formal or general contexts to signify a mistake or something done incorrectly, often in technical, computing, or academic scenarios.

  • There was an error in the code that caused the program to crash
  • His essay was full of grammatical errors
mistake

Used in everyday conversation to describe doing something wrong or incorrectly in various situations; it's a general and widely applicable term.

  • She made a mistake in the math problem
  • It was a mistake to leave the door unlocked

Examples of usage

  • He made a misreading of the situation and acted inappropriately.
  • Her misreading of the text led to confusion among the students.
Context #2 | Noun

misunderstanding

A wrong or mistaken understanding or interpretation of something.

Synonyms

confusion, misconception, misperception.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
misreading

This is used when someone has read or interpreted written or spoken language incorrectly. It is more literal and typically involves text or communication.

  • She had a misreading of the contract's terms.
  • His misreading of the email caused a big misunderstanding in the project.
misconception

This term describes a belief or idea that is incorrect. It often refers to a misunderstanding of a broader concept or fact rather than a specific instance of text or communication.

  • There is a common misconception that bats are blind.
  • He had a misconception about how the voting process worked.
confusion

A general term for not understanding something correctly or being in a state of bewilderment. It can refer to any situation where clarity is lacking, whether or not reading is involved.

  • The new policy created a lot of confusion among the employees.
  • Her directions were so unclear that they left everyone in confusion.
misperception

Used when someone perceives a situation or sensory information incorrectly. This term often refers to broader sense data rather than just written information.

  • Her misperception of the social situation led to an awkward moment.
  • There is a misperception that quick fixes can solve systemic problems.

Examples of usage

  • The misreading of his intentions caused a rift in their relationship.
  • Her misreading of the data resulted in a flawed conclusion.
Context #3 | Verb

misinterpret

To interpret or understand (something) wrongly.

Synonyms

misconstrue, misjudge, misunderstand.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
misreading

Use when someone interprets written information incorrectly.

  • She had a misreading of the novel's main theme.
  • His misreading of the email caused confusion.
misconstrue

Use when someone interprets someone's actions, words, or intentions incorrectly. It often has a formal tone.

  • Don't misconstrue my silence as agreement.
  • Her words were misconstrued, leading to an argument.
misjudge

Use when someone forms a wrong opinion or assumption about a person or situation.

  • I misjudged her abilities and was pleasantly surprised.
  • They misjudged the amount of time needed for the project.
misunderstand

Use when someone gets the meaning of words, actions, or situations wrong, often leading to mistakes.

  • It seems we have a misunderstanding about the schedule.
  • He misunderstood the instructions and did the wrong assignment.

Examples of usage

  • He misread her intentions and thought she was upset.
  • Be careful not to misread the signs or you might get lost.

Translations

Translations of the word "misreading" in other languages:

🇵🇹 leitura incorreta

🇮🇳 गलत पढ़ना

🇩🇪 Fehlinterpretation

🇮🇩 kesalahan membaca

🇺🇦 неправильне читання

🇵🇱 błędne odczytanie

🇯🇵 読み間違い

🇫🇷 mauvaise lecture

🇪🇸 mala lectura

🇹🇷 yanlış okuma

🇰🇷 잘못 읽음

🇸🇦 قراءة خاطئة

🇨🇿 nesprávné čtení

🇸🇰 nesprávne čítanie

🇨🇳 误读

🇸🇮 napačno branje

🇮🇸 röng lesning

🇰🇿 қате оқу

🇬🇪 არასწორი კითხვა

🇦🇿 səhv oxuma

🇲🇽 mala lectura

Etymology

The word 'misreading' originates from the combination of 'mis-' meaning wrongly or badly, and 'reading' referring to the act of interpreting written or printed material. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century. Over time, 'misreading' has come to be used to describe not only the act of interpreting something incorrectly but also the consequences of such misinterpretations in various contexts.

See also: misread, nonreader, read, readable, reader, readers, readership, readily, reading, ready.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,843, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.