Mistake
/mɪˈsteɪk/
Definitions
2 meaningsAn action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.
/mɪˈsteɪk/
An action or judgment that is wrong; an error.
I made a mistake on the test.
💡 Simply: A mistake is when you do something wrong. Like, if you accidentally spill your juice, that's a mistake! Or, if you think 2+2=5, that's a mistake too.
👶 For kids: When you do something wrong, that's a mistake.
More Examples
The company's financial statements contained several costly mistakes.
It's okay to learn from your mistakes.
How It's Used
"Making a mistake in your work can lead to problems."
"The teacher pointed out several mistakes in the student's essay."
To identify incorrectly, or to misunderstand.
/mɪˈsteɪk/
To misunderstand or incorrectly identify someone or something.
I mistook her for someone else.
💡 Simply: To mistake something is like when you see someone from far away and think they are a friend, but it's actually someone else. You're mixing them up!
👶 For kids: When you think something is something else by accident.
More Examples
Don't mistake kindness for weakness.
He mistook the instruction and failed the test.
How It's Used
"I mistook her for her sister at first."
"He mistook my silence for disapproval."
Idioms & expressions
make a mistake
To do something wrong; to commit an error.
"I made a mistake on my taxes and had to file an amended return."
no mistake
Definitely; certainly. There is no question about it.
"There's no mistake about it; she's the best candidate."
by mistake
Accidentally; unintentionally.
"I sent the email to the wrong person by mistake."
From Middle English *mistake*, from Old English *mistacan* (to mislead, deceive), from *mis-* (mis-) + *tacan* (to take).
The word 'mistake' has existed since Old English, reflecting the fundamental human experience of error and misjudgment.
Memory tip
Think of a *mis*-step you *take* – that's a mistake!
Word Origin
"to misunderstand or take incorrectly"