misstatement

Everyday

1. A statement that is wrong or not exact, often by accident. tree →
2. (formal) A false figure or claim in an official report or accounts. tree →

In the lessons

A careful, formal word: news and reports use it for a wrong fact, often more polite than «lie». In maths and money lessons, a misstatement is a wrong number in a report. Phrases: a misstatement of the facts, correct a misstatement.

Examples

• The coach admitted his misstatement about the score. tree →
• There was a misstatement in the newspaper, and they printed a correction. tree →
• A misstatement of the price confused the shoppers. tree →
• The report had a misstatement: it said 50 pupils, not 15. tree →
• Please check your notes for any misstatement before you present. tree →
• The minister said it was a misstatement, not a lie. tree →

Note

Spelled with double s: mis + statement. Countable. Verb: misstate. Softer than «lie»: a misstatement may be an honest mistake. In a maths problem a misstatement means the number given is wrong and must be corrected.