Mistake
UK /["/mɪˈsteɪk/"]/US /["/mɪˈsteɪk/"]/
Definition
an action or an opinion that is not correct, or that produces a result that you did not want
In simple words: An error or something done wrongly.
Examples
- I made a mistake on my homework.
- Everyone makes a mistake sometimes.
- It's easy to mistake one word for another in this language.
- Don't worry about your mistake; we all learn from them.
- He often mistakes his left side for his right side.
Usage notes
Used in both casual and formal contexts. It’s appropriate in everyday conversation but can also be used in professional discussions about errors.
Grammar pattern
make + mistake
Memory hint
Think of a ‘miss’ in a game – you miss your target and make a mistake.
Collocations
- big
- colossal
- great
- make
- commit
- repeat
- happen
- occur
- by mistake
- mistake about
- all a mistake
- an easy mistake to make
- make the mistake of doing something
- big
- colossal
- great
- make
- commit
- repeat
- happen
- occur
- by mistake
- mistake about
- all a mistake
- an easy mistake to make
- make the mistake of doing something
Synonyms
- error
Antonyms
- correct
- success
Common mistakes
- 'Mistakes' as a singular instead of plural (e.g., saying 'a mistake' when referring to multiple errors).
- Confusing 'mistake' with 'error', where 'mistake' is more general.
- Using 'mistake' without a clear object (e.g., saying 'I made a mistake' is fine, but 'I made' alone is unclear).