Understanding the differences between mistake and error

"Mistake" and "error" both describe something being wrong, but there are some subtle differences between them. 

1. Formality "Mistake" is more commonly used in everyday speech, while "error" tends to be more formal. You might say "I made a mistake on my homework" but "There is an error in the system." 

2. Cause "Mistake" often implies a lack of care or attention, even though you might have the underlying knowledge. Forgetting someone's birthday or misspelling a word could be considered mistakes. "Error" can be due to a lack of knowledge, a problem with a system, or something else entirely.  For instance, a scientific experiment might have an error due to a faulty measuring tool. 

3. Severity "Mistake" can refer to something minor or serious, but "error" often suggests something more significant. A typo might be a minor mistake, but a critical error in a medical procedure could have serious consequences. 

In general, you can often use them interchangeably, and most people will understand you. But if you want to be precise, consider the formality of the situation and the cause of the issue. 

See some words with similar meanings to mistake and error, depending on the nuance you want to convey.

General synonyms

Blunder implies a careless or stupid mistake 

Lapse a temporary forgetfulness or failure to act correctly 

Slip a minor, unintentional mistake 

Flaw an imperfection or weakness 

Miscalculation an incorrect calculation 

Misconception a misunderstanding 

More specific synonyms

For mistakes in judgment misjudgment, oversight, misstep 

For mistakes in communication misunderstanding, misinterpretation, gaffe (a social blunder) 

For mistakes in writing typo (typing error), misprint 

For mistakes in technology glitch, bug, malfunction