Mistook: meaning, definitions and examples

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mistook

 

[ mɪsˈtʊk ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

confusion of identity

Mistook is the past tense of the verb 'mistake,' which means to understand or interpret something incorrectly. It is commonly used when one person confuses someone or something with another. This error in judgment can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications. The term can apply to a variety of situations, such as recognizing faces, misinterpreting statements, or making hasty conclusions about events. Mistaking someone’s intentions can lead to conflict or regret.

Synonyms

confuse, err, misinterpret, misjudge

Examples of usage

  • I mistook her kindness for romance.
  • He mistook the directions and got lost.
  • I mistook the date and missed the meeting.
  • They mistook the signal and acted too soon.

Translations

Translations of the word "mistook" in other languages:

🇵🇹 confundi

🇮🇳 गलत समझना

🇩🇪 verwechselte

🇮🇩 salah paham

🇺🇦 помилився

🇵🇱 pomyliłem

🇯🇵 誤解した

🇫🇷 mal compris

🇪🇸 malinterpreté

🇹🇷 yanlış anladım

🇰🇷 혼동했다

🇸🇦 أخطأ

🇨🇿 splést si

🇸🇰 pomýlil

🇨🇳 误解

🇸🇮 zamenjal

🇮🇸 mistók

🇰🇿 қатен түсіндім

🇬🇪 შეცდომა

🇦🇿 şəhv etdik

🇲🇽 malinterpreté

Word origin

The word 'mistook' comes from the Old English 'mistacan,' which means 'to take in a wrong sense' or 'to misunderstand.' It is a compound of 'mis-', meaning 'wrongly,' and 'tacan,' meaning 'to take.' Over time, the term evolved in Middle English to 'mistake,' with its noun form originating from the same roots. The transition to the modern form involved changes in pronunciation and spelling. The concept of error in understanding has been prevalent throughout history, which is reflected in the continued use of 'mistake' in contemporary English.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,679, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.