Definition

A mistake made when dialing a phone number, resulting in calling the wrong number.

Example

I ended up misdialing and calling my old friend instead of the new restaurant.

Conversation

I accidentally called the wrong number yesterday.

Oh no! Was it a case of misdialing?

Yeah, I was trying to reach my friend but dialed a stranger instead.

That's the worst! I hate when that happens.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To dial a phone number incorrectly, resulting in a call to the wrong person or number.

Example

I ended up misdialing my friend's number and called a stranger instead.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I accidentally called you instead of my mom earlier.

Oh really? What happened?

I was misdialing her number in a hurry.

Root Explanation

Misdialing → It is formed from "mis-" (meaning wrongly) and "dial" (from Old French *dialer*, meaning to select or choose a number). The word "misdialing" means wrongly selecting or choosing a number when dialing a phone.

Memory Tip

Think of 'mis-' meaning wrongly and 'dial' as selecting a number — so misdialing is when you wrongly select a number.

Visually Confused Words