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misspeak. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
misspeak, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
misspeak in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
misspeak you have here. The definition of the word
misspeak will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
misspeak, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English misspeken, mispeken, mysspeken, from Old English *misspecan, missprecan (“to murmur”), equivalent to mis- + speak.
Pronunciation
Verb
misspeak (third-person singular simple present misspeaks, present participle misspeaking, simple past misspoke, past participle misspoken)
- (transitive, intransitive, chiefly US) To fail to pronounce, utter, or speak correctly.
- Synonym: mistalk (uncommon)
Either I misspoke or you misheard.
2020 September 30, “Trump Faces Torrent of Criticism From Fellow Republicans After Failing to Denounce White Supremacy”, in New York Times:The president’s comments on Wednesday came after Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chamber’s only Black Republican, said that “white supremacy should be denounced at every turn. I think he misspoke, I think he should correct it. If he doesn’t correct it I guess he didn’t misspeak.”
2022 October 5, Conrad Landin, “Network News: Labour resolves to put rail "in the hands of the public"”, in RAIL, number 967, page 16:In July, both Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to contradict the commitment to public ownership - but then subsequently said they had misspoken.
- (intransitive, obsolete) To speak insultingly or disrespectfully.
Translations
to fail to pronounce, utter, or speak correctly
See also