mislabel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal to neutral; common in technical, journalistic, legal, and business contexts.
Quick answer
What does “mislabel” mean?
To label something incorrectly or inaccurately.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To label something incorrectly or inaccurately.
To assign a wrong or misleading description, categorization, or identification to an object, person, or concept, often intentionally for deceptive purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling differences follow standard patterns (e.g., 'labelled' vs. 'labeled' in past tense).
Connotations
Identical. Associated with consumer rights, food safety, scientific misconduct, and data falsification.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to prominent FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and consumer litigation discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mislabel” in a Sentence
[Subject] mislabels [Object] (as [Complement])[Object] is mislabeled (as [Complement])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mislabel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The supplier was found to have systematically mislabelled the origin of the beef.
- If you mislabel these chemicals, it could cause a serious accident in the lab.
American English
- The company mislabeled the product as 'fat-free' when it contained significant fats.
- Several samples in the study were mislabeled, compromising the results.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The word 'mislabelledly' is not standard).
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The mislabelled jar caused quite a confusion in the pantry.
- A recall was issued for the mislabelled medication.
American English
- Consumers returned the mislabeled cans to the store.
- The mislabeled data point was removed from the analysis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to incorrectly labelled products, ingredients, or country of origin, leading to recalls or legal action.
Academic
Describing the incorrect tagging of data points in a research dataset or the misclassification of species in biology.
Everyday
Complaining that a food product was mislabeled as 'organic' or 'sugar-free' when it was not.
Technical
In machine learning, referring to training data that has been incorrectly annotated.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mislabel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mislabel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mislabel”
- Using 'mislabel' when you mean simply 'forget to label'. Confusing with 'misplace'. Incorrect past tense: 'mislabeld' (correct: 'mislabeled'/'mislabelled').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it often refers to physical stickers or tags, it extends to any form of incorrect identification or categorization, including digital data, concepts, and people.
The most common noun is 'mislabeling' (US) / 'mislabelling' (UK). Example: 'The mislabeling of the product led to a lawsuit.'
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'The product was mislabeled as "Made in the UK."'
'Mislabel' specifically implies an error in the attached descriptive 'label', which can be literal or metaphorical. 'Miscategorise' is broader and refers specifically to placing something in the wrong category or group. They are often interchangeable in figurative use.
To label something incorrectly or inaccurately.
Mislabel is usually formal to neutral; common in technical, journalistic, legal, and business contexts. in register.
Mislabel: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈleɪb(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈleɪb(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; related to 'false advertising'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MISS the correct LABEL' → you miss (fail to hit) the right label, so you MISLABEL.
Conceptual Metaphor
FALSE IDENTITY / DECEPTIVE PACKAGING (Treating a misleading label as a mask or disguise for the true nature of something).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mislabel' MOST likely to imply intentional deception?