Phrase guide

mistaken identity

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A case of false belief that a certain individual is someone else.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The police arrested the wrong man; the media reported it as a case of mistaken identity.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A defense in criminal law based on this situation, claiming that any eyewitnesses to a crime incorrectly thought that they saw the defendant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 誤認身份 /误认身份 (wùrèn shēnfèn) — false belief that someone is someone else
  • Chinese Mandarin: 認錯人 /认错人 (rèncuò rén) — false belief that someone is someone else
  • Finnish: virheellinen tunnistus — false belief that someone is someone else
  • Portuguese: identidade equivocada — false belief that someone is someone else
  • Portuguese: identidade trocada — false belief that someone is someone else
  • Chinese Mandarin: 誤認身份辯護 /误认身份辩护 (wùrèn shēnfèn biànhù) — defense in criminal law
  • Finnish: virheellinen tunnistus — defense in criminal law