mistake
mih-STAYK
Mistake (noun) means an action, decision, or belief that is wrong or incorrect. Example: “Forgetting her birthday was a huge mistake.”
noun
1
An action, decision, or belief that is wrong or incorrect.
"Forgetting her birthday was a huge mistake."
"It's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them."
"There was a mistake on the bill, so the waiter corrected it."
verb
1
To misunderstand or wrongly identify someone or something.
"I mistook him for his brother."
"She mistook kindness for weakness."
"Tourists often mistake the old town hall for a cathedral because of its tall spire."
How to use mistake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn error, or the act of wrongly identifying or misjudging something.
Common pairings
make a mistake
by mistake
mistake one thing for another
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Word forms
- Plural
- mistakes
- Third person singular
- mistakes
- Past tense
- mistook, mistaken
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Forgetting her birthday was a huge _____.
Etymology
From Old Norse mistaka, "to take in error," from mis- ("wrongly") plus taka ("to take").
Synonyms
View more →
error
blunder
slip-up
oversight
fault
gaffe
mix-up
miscalculation
slip
misunderstanding
err
misidentify
Related words
Rhymes for mistake
See all rhymes for mistake →Frequently asked questions
What does “mistake” mean?
The word “mistake” means an action, decision, or belief that is wrong or incorrect. In plain terms, an error, or the act of wrongly identifying or misjudging something.
How do you pronounce “mistake”?
“Mistake” is pronounced mih-STAYK ([mɪˈsteɪk] in IPA).
How do you use “mistake” in a sentence?
Here is “mistake” used in a sentence: “Forgetting her birthday was a huge mistake.”
What part of speech is “mistake”?
Depending on how it is used, “mistake” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mistake” come from?
The word “mistake” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse mistaka, "to take in error," from mis- ("wrongly") plus taka ("to take").
Is “mistake” a common word?
“Mistake” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “mistake” have?
“Mistake” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an action, decision, or belief that is wrong or incorrect.
What is the difference between a mistake and an error?
The words overlap, but a mistake usually comes from a wrong choice, judgment, or belief, something you could have done differently. An error is often a more technical or factual slip, like a typo or a miscalculation. In everyday speech, though, people use the two almost interchangeably.
What are common types of mistakes?
Mistakes range from simple slips, like a typo or a wrong turn, to errors of judgment, such as a poor decision, and mistakes of fact or belief, where someone is simply wrong about something. Some are careless and easily fixed, while others carry real and lasting consequences.
Is making mistakes a bad thing?
Not entirely. A mistake is, by definition, something wrong or incorrect, so it can cause harm or setbacks. But mistakes are also how people learn, revealing gaps in knowledge and prompting better choices next time. The value lies in recognising a mistake and adjusting, rather than repeating it.
What is an example of a mistake?
Everyday examples include sending a message to the wrong person, misjudging how long a task will take, or believing a fact that turns out to be false. Each is an action, decision, or belief that proves incorrect, which is the essence of a mistake, whether trivial or serious.
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