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 of misconception

• myth
• delusion
• error
• illusion

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

One misconception about enterprise AI is that autonomy reduces people’s importance. — Kumar Chivukula, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

The other misconception is that everyone is lazy, on drugs, doesn’t want a job or to get better, and that is also not true. — Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

There are already too many misconceptions surrounding Socialism and social democracy. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

But they could also be described as misconceptions, misunderstandings, or straight up bad information. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing misconception

• labor under a delusion/misapprehension/misconception

Rhymes for misconception

• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misperception
• preconception
• conception
• deception
• exception
• inception
• perception
• reception
• intussusception

Kids Definition

misconception

noun

mis·​con·​cep·​tion

ˌmis-kən-ˈsep-shən

: a wrong or mistaken idea