mishear

Definition

To hear wrongly.

Etymology

From Middle English misheren, from Old English mishȳran, mishīeran (“to hear amiss, not listen to, disobey”), equivalent to mis- + hear.

Example Sentences

• "I misheard when she asked for mints, and gave her mince instead."
• "And if any mishear or misutter it, even that also serves, since it warns."
• "When a slickly handsome drug dealer named Legrand (Michael Beach, in the film's most seductive performance), first meets the teen-ager on the playground, he mishears the name Manigault. "Did he say Nanny Goat?" Legrand asks, explaining the nickname in one quick, witty stroke."