misdate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal
Quick answer
What does “misdate” mean?
To assign an incorrect date to something (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To assign an incorrect date to something (e.g., a document, event, or record).
To place something in an incorrect chronological context; to cause temporal confusion by using a wrong date.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. No significant regional variation.
Connotations
Neutral; denotes a factual error in dating.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “misdate” in a Sentence
[subject] misdates [object][object] is misdated (by [subject])misdate [object] as [incorrect date]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misdate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The archivist discovered that the previous curator had misdated the royal charter by nearly a century.
- Be careful not to misdate the cheque, or the bank may refuse it.
American English
- The researcher misdated the manuscript, placing it in the wrong historical period.
- If you misdate the contract, it could affect its legal validity.
adjective
British English
- The misdated invoice caused a delay in payment processing.
- A misdated entry in the logbook confused the timeline of events.
American English
- They discovered a misdated check in the financial audit.
- The misdated application was nearly rejected on a technicality.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Crucial in legal and accounting contexts; misdating a contract or invoice can have serious consequences.
Academic
Used in historical and archival research to discuss chronological errors in primary sources.
Everyday
Rarely used; more common to say 'got the date wrong'.
Technical
Relevant in archaeology, palaeography, and document forensics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “misdate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “misdate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misdate”
- Confusing with 'misdial' (wrong number) or 'misstate' (wrong statement). Using it for intentional backdating (use 'predate').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. In everyday speech, people say 'get the date wrong' or 'write the wrong date'.
'Misdate' is a neutral term for any incorrect date. 'Predate' (or 'antedate') specifically means to assign a date earlier than the true one, which can be either an error or an intentional act.
Its primary use is as a verb. The noun form is rarely used; 'misdating' (gerund) or 'incorrect date' are more common.
Primarily, yes. It is most often used for documents, records, and artifacts. Using it for events (e.g., 'misdate a birthday') is grammatically possible but stylistically very formal and uncommon.
To assign an incorrect date to something (e.
Misdate is usually formal in register.
Misdate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈdeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈdeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MIS + DATE. You 'miss' the correct 'date'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RECORDABLE LABEL → An incorrect label is a misapplied tag.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'misdate' MOST appropriately used?