Definition

To judge the timing of something incorrectly, leading to a mistake in when to do it.

Example

The coach said they mistimed their attack, which cost them the match.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see the game last night?

Yeah, it was so intense! But that last play was a disaster.

I know, they really mistimed their move.

Exactly! If they had just waited a second longer, they might have won.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mistime → It is formed from "mis-" (meaning wrongly or badly) and "time" (from Old English "tima", meaning a period or duration). The word "mistime" means to time something wrongly or to make an error in timing.

Memory Tip

Think of doing something 'wrongly' ('mis-') with respect to 'time' — that's why mistime means to time something incorrectly.

Visually Confused Words