misinterpretation

/mɪsɪntərprɪˈteɪʃɪn/

/mɪsɪntəprɪˈteɪʃɪn/

Other forms: misinterpretations

Misinterpretation is a case of misunderstanding something. You tried to assemble a set of bookshelves, but your misinterpretation of the directions meant you ended up with a table instead!

Interpretation comes from the Latin interpretari, which means "explain" or "translate." Adding the prefix mis- (which in this case means "wrongly") changes the word's meaning to "wrong interpretation." Misinterpretation is often accidental, but it can be intentional, too. "Willful misinterpretation" is misunderstanding someone else's words on purpose, often to make an unrelated point.

Definitions of misinterpretation

1. noun

   putting the wrong interpretation on
   “his misinterpretation of the question caused his error”

   synonyms: mistaking, misunderstanding

   types:

   imbroglio

   a very embarrassing misunderstanding

   misconstrual, misconstruction

   a kind of misinterpretation resulting from putting a wrong construction on words or actions (often deliberately)

   misreading

   misinterpretation caused by inaccurate reading

   type of:

   interpretation

   an explanation that results from interpreting something