misinterpret JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/ˌmɪsˈɪntərprɪt/ · mis·in·ter·pret
verb
  1. To make an incorrect interpretation of something; to misunderstand. She misinterpreted his silence as disapproval, when he was simply deep in thought.
  2. To read or translate wrongly, especially in a way that changes the intended meaning. The translator misinterpreted the idiom, leading to a confusing sentence in the final draft.
Did you know? The verb ‘misinterpret’ was first recorded in English around 1590, and Shakespeare used a similar construction in his plays to highlight characters’ faulty readings of each other's motives.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 14, 2026