Miswritten

Miswritten is an adjective formed from the verb miswrite, meaning written incorrectly or in an incorrect way. It is used to describe text or inscriptions that contain errors or deviations from expected writing conventions. The verb miswrite exists but is uncommon in contemporary usage; more frequent alternatives include “written incorrectly,” “erroneous,” or “inaccurately written.”

Usage and nuance: Miswritten typically applies to written content such as documents, manuscripts, signs, or labels, and can refer to errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, wording, or formatting. It does not specify a single type of error; rather, it signals that the overall writing is flawed. In handwriting, miswritten can describe letters or words that are poorly formed or incorrectly formed.

Examples: The contract was miswritten, leading to ambiguity in obligations. The street sign contained a miswritten street name. The sentence was miswritten in the draft, and its meaning changed as a result.

Etymology and alternatives: Derived by adding the prefix mis- to the verb write, yielding miswrite, with miswritten as its past participle. In modern editing, it is often better to rephrase as “written incorrectly” or “the wording is incorrect,” especially to avoid awkward phrasing.

See also: misprint, typographical error, misspelling, drafting error.