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typographical error
noun
- an error in printed or typewritten matter resulting from striking the improper key of a keyboard, from mechanical failure, or the like.
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Example Sentences
Only one typographical error was noted in the conversion of the printed document to digital format.
Transcriber's Note:The typographical error "overwhelmlingly" was changed to "overwhelmingly."
The result of all this care was that, according to Borrow the edition exhibited scarcely one typographical error.
The transcriber has taken the liberty to change 1820 to read 1720, as this appears to be a typographical error.
Except in the case of apparent typographical error, discrepancies were left as printed.
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More About Typographical Error
What is a typographical error?
A typographical error is a mistake made when typing something. Typographical errors are very commonly called typos for short.
The term typically refers to an unintentional error that happens when you accidentally hit the wrong key on a keyboard—the kind of mistake that autocorrect is supposed to catch and automatically fix when you’re typing a document or texting. For example, typing teh when you mean to type the is a common typographical error.
Typographical errors often result in misspellings, but, technically, not all misspellings are typos. It wouldn’t be quite accurate to call a misspelling a typographical error if you spelled the word that way on purpose. Still, people often use the word this way, especially when politely pointing out misspellings in things that other people have typed.
The term typographical error can also refer to an error made during the printing process, such as due to a mechanical issue, but this sense of the term is much less commonly used
Example: I should have proofread my proposal because as I was presenting it I noticed a typographical error right on the title slide.
Where does typographical error come from?
The term typographical error has been used since at least the early 1800s, and it has been shortened as typo since at least the 1890s. The typo- in typographical comes from the Greek týpo(s), meaning “type,” and the graph part is based on a root that refers to writing. The word typography refers to the process of printing with type.
Most of the time, typographical errors are no big deal. They’re common, especially in informal communication like texting, and most of the time the person reading the message will be able to figure out what you meant to say. But typographical errors in official documents can be pretty serious, and there are stories (and probably a few legends) about how legal cases were decided due to a single typo. Edtiors and proofreaders catch and fix typographical errors as part of their job (though some inevitably slip by).
Some modern slang terms are based on typographical errors. The slang word pwn probably originated from people mistakenly typing the letter p instead of the letter o in own.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for typographical error?
What are some words that share a root or word element with typographical error?
What are some words that often get used in discussing typographical error?
How is typographical error used in real life?
Typographical errors happen when you text too fast or forget to proofread your work. The word typo is informal, but most people use typo instead of typographical error even in professional settings.
Words make a difference. Typographical errors make a huge difference. pic.twitter.com/xqPGWUbkdw
— Peter McGahan (@peter_mcgahan) October 6, 2020
One thing I hate when tweeting: HAVING TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
— Maxi💎⁰⁹¹⁸ | 💖✨I LOVE YOU✨💖 (@HarutoMyRuto) October 13, 2020
As someone who reviews resumes, check for typographical errors. All programs have spell check and grammar checking, errors show a sure sign of not caring and generally get passed over.
— Select52 (@vt0924) August 25, 2018
Try using typographical error!
Is typographical error used correctly in the following sentence?
Thankfully we caught the typographical error before the ad was published—otherwise people would have thought that we were having a garbage sale.
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