misconception

noun

mis·​con·​cep·​tion ˌmis-kən-ˈsep-shən 

plural misconceptions

: a wrong or inaccurate idea or conception

a common/popular misconception

There's this misconception that you get famous and everything is perfect.

—Chris Daughtry

The new name, along with more stringent criteria for diagnosing the disorder, represents an attempt to clear up misconceptions about the disorder and to have it taken more seriously by psychiatrists as well as the courts.

—Janny Scott

Many gardeners are under the misconception [=have the mistaken idea] that bamboos grow only in mild climates.

—Nan Sterman

… artists, writers, and musicians who labor under the misconception that it's possible to come up with something new under the sun …

—Simon Reynolds

Synonyms

• delusion
• error
• fallacy
• falsehood
• falsity
• hallucination
• illusion
• misbelief
• myth
• old wives' tale
• untruth

Examples of misconception in a Sentence

it is a popular misconception that the Great Wall of China is visible from outer space

Recent Examples on the Web

Our recommendation is to get ahead of this narrative, owning any misconceptions and addressing them head on. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2024

What are common misconceptions about human smugglers? —Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024

Unfortunately, there are several common misconceptions that persist about scholarships. —Ethan Cloud, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

There is a misconception rampant in our culture that presupposes criticism correlates to or flows from hate. —Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing misconception

• labor under a delusion/misapprehension/misconception
• labor under the misconception
• under the misconception

Kids Definition

misconception

noun

mis·​con·​cep·​tion

ˌmis-kən-ˈsep-shən

: a wrong or mistaken idea