mistaken
Elementary (A2)
IPA: //mɪˈsteɪ.kən//
KK: /mɪˈsteɪkən/
adjective
Definition
Wrong or incorrect in understanding or perception; based on an error.
Example
She was mistaken about the time of the meeting.
Conversation
I think you might be mistaken about how much time we have left for the project.
Really? I thought we had another week to finish it.
No, I checked the deadline, and I believe it's actually due tomorrow.
Wow, I must have really been mistaken on that one!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
erroneous
incorrect
false
Antonyms
correct
right
accurate
verb
Definition
To be wrong about something or to understand something incorrectly.
Example
I was mistaken about the time of the meeting.
Tense Forms
Past: mistook
Past Participle: mistaken
Conversation
I think I was mistaken about the time we were meeting.
Oh really? What time did you think it was?
I thought it was at three, not four.
Root Explanation
Mistaken → It is formed from "mistake" (from Old French *mistakier*, meaning to take wrongly) and the suffix "-en" (indicating a state or condition). The word "mistaken" means being in a state of having taken something wrongly or being in error.
Memory Tip
Think of taking something 'wrongly' — 'mistake' means to take wrongly, and '-en' indicates a state. This helps you remember that 'mistaken' refers to being in a state of error.
Visually Confused Words
unmistaken
misken
starken
moisten
mismake