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mistake

Elementary (A2)

IPA: /mɪˈsteɪk/

KK: /mɪˈsteɪk/

intransitive verb
Definition

To do something incorrectly or to misunderstand something.


Example

I always mistake his kindness for weakness.


Tense Forms

Past: mistook

Past Participle: mistaken


Conversation
Sloth A
I really mistake my schedule this week.
Sloth B
Oh no! What did you mix up?
Sloth A
I thought my meeting was on Thursday, but it's actually tomorrow.
Sloth B
That's a bummer! Just double-check your calendar next time.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
err
blunder
falter
Antonyms
succeed
correct
achieve
noun
Definition

An error or something that is not correct, often made by accident.


Example

Everyone makes a mistake sometimes, and it's important to learn from them.


Conversation
Sloth A
I think I made a big mistake on that last test.
Sloth B
What happened? Did you misread the questions?
Sloth A
Yeah, I mixed up two of the answers, and now I’m worried.
Sloth B
transitive verb
Definition

To identify or understand something incorrectly.


Example

I mistook the address and ended up in the wrong place.


Tense Forms

Past: mistook

Past Participle: mistaken


Conversation
Sloth A
I think I really mistake his intentions sometimes.
Sloth B
What do you mean?
Sloth A
Well, I often mistake his kindness for something more than friendship.
Sloth B
Root Explanation

Mistake → It is formed from "mis-" (meaning wrongly) and "tacere" (meaning to be silent or to leave out). The word refers to a wrong action or decision, implying something has been left out or done incorrectly.

Memory Tip

Think of doing something 'wrongly' ('mis-') and leaving out the correct action ('tacere'). This helps you remember that a mistake is an error or something done incorrectly.

Visually Confused Words
mismake
stake
unmistaken
misstate
Is this page helpful?
Don’t stress too much; we all make mistakes sometimes.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
error
blunder
oversight
Antonyms
correctness
accuracy
truth
That can definitely happen; it's easy to misinterpret signals.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
misinterpret
confuse
err
Antonyms
understand
recognize
clarify