misphrase
|mis-phrase|
/mɪsˈfreɪz/
phrase wrongly
Etymology
'misphrase' originates from English, combining the prefix 'mis-' (from Old English 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly') with 'phrase' (from Greek 'phrasis' via Latin and Old French) where 'phrasis' meant 'speech, expression'.
'phrase' evolved from Greek 'phrasis' into Latin/Old French forms and Middle English 'phrase'; the Old English prefix 'mis-' (meaning 'wrongly') was then attached in modern English to form 'misphrase'.
Initially the components meant 'wrongly' + 'speech/expression', and combined they have retained the sense of 'to express wrongly' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an instance of phrasing something incorrectly; a poor or misleading wording.
That was a misphrase that changed the intended meaning of the sentence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to express or word something incorrectly or in a misleading way; to phrase wrongly.
Try not to misphrase the question when you explain it to the panel.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/22 08:51