Misread Meaning in English

word

US

mɪsˈɹɛd/, /mɪsˈɹid

mis-RED, mis-REED

UK

ˌmɪsˈriːd

mis-REED

Definition

To read something incorrectly, either by misunderstanding its meaning or literally reading the words wrong.

Usage & Nuances

'Misread' works for confusing someone's intentions ('misread the situation') or literal reading mistakes. Past, present, and past participle forms are all spelled 'misread,' but pronounced differently: /ˌmɪsˈriːd/ (present), /ˌmɪsˈrɛd/ (past). Common collocations: 'misread a message,' 'misread the signs.'

• Spanish: malinterpretar - leer mal
• Portuguese (BR): interpretar mal - ler errado
• Portuguese (PT): interpretar mal - ler mal
• Chinese (Simplified): 误解 - 看错
• Chinese (Traditional): 誤解 - 看錯
• Hindi: गलत पढ़ना - ग़लत समझना
• Arabic: أساء الفهم - قرأ بشكل خاطئ
• Bengali: ভুলভাবে পড়া - ভুল বোঝা
• Russian: неправильно прочитать - неверно истолковать
• Japanese: 読み間違える - 誤解する
• Vietnamese: đọc sai - hiểu sai
• Korean: 잘못 읽다 - 잘못 해석하다
• Turkish: yanlış okumak - yanlış anlamak
• Urdu: غلط پڑھنا - غلط سمجھنا
• Indonesian: salah membaca - salah menafsirkan

Example Sentences

I misread the instructions for the test.

basic

She misread the date on the calendar.

basic

We misread his tone in the email.

basic

I totally misread the situation at the party.

natural

Don’t get upset—I just misread what you meant.

natural

Many people misread sarcasm in text messages.

natural