Misspeaking: meaning, definitions and examples

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misspeaking

 

[ mɪsˈspiːkɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

mistake in speech

Misspeaking refers to the act of speaking incorrectly or making an error while speaking. This could involve mispronouncing a word, using the wrong term, or providing inaccurate information. Misspeaking can occur in both formal and informal contexts, and it is often unintentional. It highlights the importance of careful communication, as misunderstandings can arise from such errors.

Synonyms

mispronouncing, misrepresenting, misstating, mistranslating

Examples of usage

  • The politician was criticized for misspeaking during the debate.
  • She apologized for misspeaking in her presentation.
  • He often misspeaks when he's nervous.
  • Misspeaking can sometimes lead to awkward situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "misspeaking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 errar ao falar

🇮🇳 गलत बोलना

🇩🇪 falsch sprechen

🇮🇩 berbicara salah

🇺🇦 помилково говорити

🇵🇱 mówić źle

🇯🇵 誤って話す

🇫🇷 parler mal

🇪🇸 hablar mal

🇹🇷 yanlış konuşmak

🇰🇷 잘못 말하다

🇸🇦 يتحدث بشكل خاطئ

🇨🇿 špatně mluvit

🇸🇰 zle rozprávať

🇨🇳 说错话

🇸🇮 narobe govoriti

🇮🇸 tala rangt

🇰🇿 қате сөйлеу

🇬🇪 ცუდად საუბარი

🇦🇿 sözləri səhv demək

🇲🇽 hablar mal

Etymology

The term 'misspeak' has its roots in the prefix 'mis-', which comes from Old English meaning 'wrongly' or 'badly', and 'speak', originating from the Old English 'specan', meaning 'to speak or tell'. The combination of these elements conveys the idea of speaking incorrectly. 'Misspeaking' is derived from 'misspeak' by adding the continuous '-ing' form, indicating an ongoing action. The use of 'misspeak' in public discourse became more prevalent in the late 20th century, particularly in political contexts, where public figures might accidentally say something incorrect or inappropriate. As communication methods have evolved, especially with the rise of social media, the instances of misspeaking and their repercussions have garnered significant attention.