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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Mistaken

məˈsteɪkən
Very common
~ 2500
~ 2500, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Incorrect or wrong in one's understanding or judgment, Wrongly identified or recognized, Regretful or apologetic, Confused or misled

Mistaken - Meanings

Incorrect or wrong in one's understanding or judgment

Example: She was mistaken about the time of the meeting.
Usage: formalContext: academic or professional settings
Note: Often used in situations where someone has misunderstood or misinterpreted information.

Wrongly identified or recognized

Example: The witness was mistaken in identifying the suspect.
Usage: formalContext: legal proceedings or investigations
Note: Commonly used in legal contexts to indicate a misidentification or error in recognition.

Regretful or apologetic

Example: I am mistaken, and I apologize for my error.
Usage: formalContext: professional correspondence or public statements
Note: Used to express regret or acknowledge an error in a formal manner.

Confused or misled

Example: He seemed mistaken about the directions to the restaurant.
Usage: informalContext: casual conversations or everyday interactions
Note: Often used in informal settings to suggest confusion or being led astray.

Mistaken's synonyms

incorrect

Incorrect means not in accordance with fact or truth; wrong.
Example: She gave me incorrect directions to the restaurant.
Note: While 'mistaken' implies a misunderstanding or error in judgment, 'incorrect' focuses on the lack of accuracy or correctness.

erroneous

Erroneous means containing error; incorrect.
Example: The newspaper published an erroneous report about the incident.
Note: Erroneous is more formal than 'mistaken' and is often used in academic or technical contexts to describe something that is factually wrong.

wrong

Wrong means not correct or true; mistaken.
Example: I was wrong about the time of the meeting.
Note: Similar to 'incorrect,' 'wrong' emphasizes the lack of correctness or accuracy, but it is more commonly used in everyday language.

inaccurate

Inaccurate means not accurate; not exact or correct.
Example: The weather forecast turned out to be inaccurate.
Note: Inaccuracy suggests a lack of precision or correctness, whereas 'mistaken' implies a specific error in judgment or perception.

Mistaken expressions, common phrases

Bark up the wrong tree

To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action, to be wrong in one's assumptions.
Example: I think you're barking up the wrong tree by accusing him. He's innocent.
Note: The phrase 'bark up the wrong tree' adds a visual element to the concept of being mistaken.

Jump to conclusions

To form an opinion or make a judgment hastily, without sufficient evidence or information.
Example: Don't jump to conclusions before you have all the facts.
Note: This phrase emphasizes making premature judgments based on limited information.

Get the wrong end of the stick

To misunderstand a situation or someone's intentions.
Example: I think you've got the wrong end of the stick. Let me explain what I meant.
Note: The phrase 'get the wrong end of the stick' suggests a confusion or misinterpretation.

Off on the wrong foot

To begin a relationship or situation poorly or with a mistake.
Example: I started off on the wrong foot with my new boss by being late on the first day.
Note: This phrase refers to starting something incorrectly from the beginning.

Lead someone up the garden path

To deceive or mislead someone, usually by giving false hope or information.
Example: She led him up the garden path with promises she couldn't keep.
Note: It indicates intentionally misleading someone rather than simply being mistaken.

In the dark

To be uninformed or unaware of something.
Example: I'm completely in the dark about what happened last night.
Note: The phrase conveys a lack of knowledge or information rather than being mistaken.

Bite off more than one can chew

To take on a task that is way too big or difficult to handle successfully.
Example: I think I've bitten off more than I can chew with this project.
Note: It implies overestimating one's abilities rather than being outright mistaken.

Mistaken everyday (slang) expressions

My bad

This slang term is used to take responsibility for a mistake or misunderstanding.
Example: I thought the meeting was at 10 am, but it was actually at 9 am. My bad!
Note: The slang term 'My bad' is more casual and personal compared to saying 'I made a mistake.'

Screw the pooch

This slang term means to make a serious mistake or error.
Example: I really screwed the pooch on that project by giving the wrong information.
Note: The imagery of 'screwing the pooch' adds a humorous and informal tone to the expression.

It's on me

This phrase means to take responsibility for a mistake or mishap.
Example: I'm sorry I got us lost on the way to the restaurant. It's on me.
Note: It implies that one is willing to accept the consequences or make amends for the error.

Drop the ball

This slang term means to make a mistake by failing to do something or by making an error.
Example: I dropped the ball by forgetting to submit the report on time.
Note: The expression 'dropping the ball' has a sports origin, implying a failure to score or perform well.

Mess up

This slang term means to make a mistake or to do something incorrectly.
Example: I really messed up by giving you the wrong directions.
Note: It is a more informal way of acknowledging a mistake compared to using formal language.

Blunder

This word refers to a careless or serious mistake.
Example: She made a blunder by sending the email to the wrong recipient.
Note: The term 'blunder' carries a sense of a significant error or oversight.

Goof up

To 'goof up' means to make a silly or stupid mistake.
Example: I really goofed up by spilling coffee on my laptop.
Note: The slang term 'goof up' is more light-hearted and less serious compared to some other terms.

Mistaken - Examples

The mistaken assumption led to a failed project.
She made a mistaken turn and got lost.
The teacher corrected the student's mistaken answer.

Mistaken grammar

Mistaken - Verb (Verb) / Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle)
Lemma: mistake
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): mistakes
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): mistake
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): mistook
Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): mistaken
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): mistaking
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): mistakes
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): mistake
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): mistake
Syllabification and Stress
mistaken Contains 2 syllables: mis • take
Phonetic transcription: mə-ˈstāk
mis take , mə ˈstāk (The red syllable is stressed)

Mistaken - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
mistaken: ~ 2500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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