misstep
/ˈmɪs.stɛp/noun, verb
misstep is spelled M-I-S-S-T-E-P: 7 letters and 2 syllables. It appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 47,073rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, misstep means “A step that is wrong, a false step” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of misstep is missteps.
How many letters and syllables are in misstep?
| Letters | 7: M-I-S-S-T-E-P |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 3 million words; the 47,073rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is misstep?
Misstep appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 47,073rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce misstep?
- /ˈmɪs.stɛp/
As a verb (“To step badly or incorrectly”): /mɪsˈstɛp/.
Misstep has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-misstep.wav, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-misstep2.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with misstep
Also written: mis-step (one word or two).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of misstep
- missteps plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- mis-step
- misstepping participle, present
- misstepped participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does misstep mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A step that is wrong, a false step.
On a high ledge, a misstep could be fatal.
- 2
An error or mistake.
His comment was a misstep that could cost him dearly.
verb
- 1
To step badly or incorrectly.
My dance partner misstepped and landed on my toe.
- 2
To make an error or mistake.
I don't want to misstep by offending them.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Misstep in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | faux pas , bourde , faire un faux pas, trébucher, s'emmêler les pinceaux , faire une bourde |
| German | Fehltritt , einen Fehltritt machen |
| Portuguese | passo em falso , pisar em falso |
| Spanish | paso en falso , desliz, tropiezo, marfilada |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does misstep come from?
From mis- + step.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).