mislead
mihs-LEED
Mislead (verb) means to cause someone to believe something untrue, whether on purpose or by accident. Example: “The advert was banned for misleading customers about the discount.”
verb
1
To cause someone to believe something untrue, whether on purpose or by accident.
"The advert was banned for misleading customers about the discount."
"I didn't mean to mislead you — I simply had the wrong date."
How to use mislead
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give someone a false impression.
Common pairings
mislead the public
mislead investors
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Word forms
- Plural
- misleads
- Third person singular
- misleads
- Past tense
- misled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The advert was banned for _____ customers about the discount.
Etymology
From Old English mislǣdan, from mis- + lǣdan ("to lead").
Related words
Rhymes for mislead
See all rhymes for mislead →Frequently asked questions
What does “mislead” mean?
The word “mislead” means to cause someone to believe something untrue, whether on purpose or by accident. In plain terms, to give someone a false impression.
How do you pronounce “mislead”?
“Mislead” is pronounced mihs-LEED (/mɪsˈliːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mislead” in a sentence?
Here is “mislead” used in a sentence: “The advert was banned for misleading customers about the discount.”
What is the opposite of “mislead”?
The opposite of “mislead” — its antonyms — are guide, lead and direct.
What part of speech is “mislead”?
“Mislead” is a verb.
Where does the word “mislead” come from?
The word “mislead” comes from Old English. From Old English mislǣdan, from mis- + lǣdan ("to lead").
Is “mislead” a common word?
“Mislead” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
