Mistake: meaning, definitions and examples

❌

Add to dictionary

mistake

[mɪˈsteɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

error

An action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.

Synonyms

blunder, error, fault, slip-up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mistake	General term for something done incorrectly. It is commonly used in both formal and informal situations. She made a mistake on her math test. It was a mistake to trust him.
error	Technical or formal term usually used in professional or academic contexts to refer to something that deviates from what is right or expected. The software contains a serious error. There was an error in the calculation.
blunder	Used in situations where an error is made through carelessness or lack of judgment. It has a stronger negative connotation and implies a significant or noticeable error. The politician's blunder cost him the election. He made a blunder by forgetting his lines during the play.
fault	Often used when referring to a defect or imperfection in an object, system, or argument. It can also refer to accountability or responsibility for a mistake. There is a fault in the electrical wiring. It wasn't her fault that the meeting was delayed.
slip-up	Informal term that typically refers to minor or accidental mistakes. It often conveys a lighter or less serious tone. He apologized for the slip-up in his speech. It was just a small slip-up; don't worry about it.

Examples of usage

Making a mistake is a normal part of the learning process.
She realized her mistake and apologized immediately.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

commit an error

Be wrong about.

Synonyms

confuse, misinterpret, misunderstand.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mistake	Commonly used to describe an error or a wrong action that has been made. It can refer to small everyday errors or more serious faults. I made a mistake by not checking my emails regularly It was a mistake to trust him
misinterpret	Used when someone understands something incorrectly or in the wrong way, often referring to information, messages, or signals. She misinterpreted his compliment as sarcasm The data can easily be misinterpreted if not analyzed correctly
misunderstand	Generally used when someone fails to understand something correctly or gets the wrong idea about what someone else means. It can refer to both spoken and written communication. I think you misunderstand my question There was a big misunderstanding about the meeting time
confuse	Often used when someone mixes up two or more things or when they find something hard to understand or follow. It implies a state of being unsure or bewildered. I always confuse their names because they look so similar The instructions on the packaging really confuse me

Examples of usage

I must have mistaken you for someone else.
Don't mistake her silence for agreement.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old French 'mistaké', meaning 'misunderstood' or 'taken wrongly'.
It originated from the Latin 'error', which means 'to stray or wander' in its root form.
The concept has evolved over time, reflecting a greater understanding of human fallibility.

Psychology

People often view mistakes as learning opportunities, linked to the concept of growth mindset.
Research shows that making errors can enhance problem-solving skills by fostering resilience.
Cognitive biases can lead individuals to ignore their mistakes, impacting their decision-making abilities.

Pop Culture

Mistakes are a common theme in many popular movies and shows, often leading to humorous or enlightening moments.
The phrase 'to err is human, to forgive divine' highlights cultural perspectives on human imperfection.
There are numerous social media trends encouraging the sharing of funny mistakes to create connection and laughter.

Education

Education systems increasingly emphasize acknowledging mistakes as a vital part of learning.
Mistakes in mathematics, for example, often lead to a deeper understanding of concepts when analyzed.
Teachers encourage students to embrace errors in order to foster a supportive and open learning environment.

History

Throughout history, many scientific discoveries arose from mistakes, such as penicillin by Alexander Fleming.
Mistakes in ship navigation led to the discovery of new lands during the Age of Exploration.
Historical figures like Thomas Edison stressed the importance of learning from failures, claiming they’re just steps to success.

Translations

Translations of the word "mistake" in other languages:

🇵🇹 erro

engano
equívoco

🇮🇳 गलती (galti)

🇩🇪 Fehler

Irrtum
Versehen

🇮🇩 kesalahan

🇺🇦 помилка

🇵🇱 błąd

🇯🇵 間違い (machigai)

🇫🇷 erreur

faute
méprise

🇪🇸 error

equivocación
fallo

🇹🇷 hata

yanlışlık
kusur

🇰🇷 실수 (silsu)

🇸🇦 خطأ (khatā')

🇨🇿 chyba

🇸🇰 chyba

🇨🇳 错误 (cuòwù)

🇸🇮 napaka

🇮🇸 villa

🇰🇿 қателік (qatelik)

🇬🇪 შეცდომა (shecdoma)

🇦🇿 səhv

🇲🇽 error

equivocación
fallo

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,864, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

...
2861 gathered
2862 tension
2863 integration
2864 mistake
2865 furnish
2866 disposal
2867 recording
...