Words / C1

mis-in-TURPR-it/ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːprɪt/

To misinterpret is to take the meaning wrongly: misinterpret a clause, misinterpret silence. Misunderstand is everyday; interpret (already in the dictionary) is the base verb; distort is wilful. Do not misinterpret “pending” as yes.

Meaning

To understand the meaning of something wrongly.

Examples

• “Do not misinterpret “pending” as permission to recruit.”
• “Misunderstand is everyday. Interpret is the clean verb. Mistranslate is language-to-language. A generous reading is not a licence. Ambiguous text still needs a check, not a guess dressed as policy.”

Good to know

Read it wrong. Everyday: misunderstand. Base: interpret (already in the dictionary). Pending ≠ permission.

Near in meaning

interpret

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