Meaning & use

misconception

noun·Academic

A belief or idea that is incorrect because it is based on faulty understanding or reasoning.

See it in a sentence

It is a common misconception that reading in dim light permanently damages your eyesight.

The teacher spent the lesson correcting misconceptions students had about basic probability.

A note on using this word

Frequently paired with "common" or "popular" to describe widely held but false beliefs.

Words with a similar meaning

misunderstandingfallacy

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “misconception”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.