# mislead

> English word · Verb · IPA /mɪsˈliːd/ · frequency rank #21,872

## Definitions
1. To lead astray, in a false direction.
2. To deceive by telling lies or otherwise giving a false impression.
3. To deceptively trick into something wrong.
4. To accidentally or intentionally confuse.

## Etymology
From Middle English mysleden, from Old English mislǣdan (“to mislead”), from Proto-Germanic *missalaidijaną (“to mislead”). By surface analysis, mis- + lead.

## Easily confused with
- **missed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mislead-vs-missed)
- **misled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mislead-vs-misled)
- **misread** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mislead-vs-misread)
- **milled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/milled-vs-mislead)

## Common misspellings (10)
`imslead`, `milsead`, `miselad`, `mislaed`, `misleadd`, `misleda`, `misllead`, `misslead`, `mmislead`, `msilead`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mislead