mishear
mishear
Transitive Verb
past: misheardpp: mishearding: mishearing
This verb describes a specific failure of auditory perception where the listener hears a sound but interprets it as a different word or phrase. It differs from "not hearing" or "overlooking," as it implies an active but incorrect registration of the audio signal.
In social interactions, "mishear" often carries a neutral or apologetic tone, frequently used to excuse a mistake or a clumsy response. It is distinct from "misunderstand," which refers to a failure of comprehension regardless of whether the words were heard correctly.
Meanings
Transitive Verbmishear
[~ something]
To hear a word or phrase incorrectly, resulting in a misunderstanding of what was said.
I think I misheard the directions and ended up on the wrong street.
Related Words
hearlistenauditionsoundnoiseearhearingauditoryperceptionmisunderstandingmistakeerrorconfusionmisinterpretmisconceivemisapprehenddeafnesshard of hearingtinnitusechomumblewhisperstutterarticulationpronunciationaccentdialectvolumedecibelfrequencypitchresonanceacousticclarityambiguitydistortioninterferencestaticattentionconcentrationdistractionforgetfulnesscognitivebrainnervecochleatympanumauditory nervecommunicationdialogueconversationspeechutterancewordphrasesentencelanguagephonemesyllableintonationinflectionmiscommunicationclarificationrepetitionparaphraseconfirmationverificationoverheareavesdropmisreadmisjudgemiscalculateblundergaffe