Mistaken
mɪˈsteɪkən
Definitions
2 meaningsIncorrect; wrong; based on a misunderstanding.
mɪˈsteɪkən
Wrong or incorrect in one's judgment or belief.
He was mistaken about the exam time.
💡 Simply: When you think something is true, but it's actually not right. Like, thinking it's raining outside when the sun is shining!
👶 For kids: Being wrong about something.
More Examples
She was mistaken in her belief that it was safe.
I was mistaken in my judgment of his character.
How It's Used
"I was mistaken about the date of the meeting."
"The jury found the defendant was mistaken about the evidence."
Having made a mistake.
mɪˈsteɪkən
Past participle of the verb 'mistake'.
I have mistaken his intentions.
💡 Simply: That thing that's already happened as a result of messing something up or getting things wrong.
👶 For kids: Having done something wrong or not right.
More Examples
She had mistaken the pills.
The driver had mistaken the street
How It's Used
"He has mistaken me for someone else."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
mistaken identity
A situation where someone is wrongly identified as someone else.
"The witness's testimony was based on a case of mistaken identity."
From Middle English *mistaken*, past participle of misteken, from Old English *mistacan* ('to take wrongly').
The word 'mistaken' has been used since Middle English, often used in religious and legal contexts to indicate errors in judgment or belief.
Memory tip
Think of a time you believed something was true but later found out you were incorrect. You were mistaken.