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British

Middle School Level

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err

[ ur, er ]SHOW IPA

/ ɜr, ɛr /PHONETIC RESPELLING

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See synonyms for: err / erred / erring / errable on Thesaurus.com

Middle School Level

This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

verb (used without object)

to go astray in thought or belief; be mistaken; be incorrect.

to go astray morally; sin: To err is human.

Archaic. to deviate from the true course, aim, or purpose.

OTHER WORDS FOR

err

2 transgress, lapse.

See synonyms for err on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THIS QUIZ ON BLUE OPPOSITES WILL SURELY "BLUE" YOU AWAY

What do you think the opposite of blue is? See how much you know about the many ways we can describe the opposite of blue.

Question 1 of 6

What does SAFFRON symbolize in Hindu traditions?

strength

bravery

purityTAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of

err

1275–1325; Middle English erren<Old French errer<Latin errāre; akin to Gothic airzjan,Old High German irrôn,German irren

OTHER WORDS FROM err

err·a·bil·i·ty, nounerr·a·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH err

1. air, e'er, ere, err, heir2. er, err, Ur

Words nearby

err

erotology, erotomania, erotopathy, erotophobia, ERPF, err, errancy, errand, errand boy, errant, errantry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to

err

misbehave, miscalculate, stray, stumble, blow, blunder, bollix, deviate, fall, flub, goof, lapse, misapprehend, misjudge, muff, offend, sin, snafu, transgress, trespass

How to use

err

in a sentence

Walthour did say Rodriguez had erred in his decision when he claimed Walthour had submitted a formal affidavit concerning his wife’s health.

Ruling on Murder Case by Judge Suffering From Dementia Will Stand, Court Says by Joe Sexton March 5, 2021 ProPublica

Above all, he valued his freedom — the freedom to explore, the freedom to err, the freedom to create.

Isadore Singer Transcended Mathematical Boundaries Daniel S. Freed March 4, 2021 Quanta Magazine

We’re going to err on the side of caution, and we’re going to bring very few people back to the office at a time.

Publishers look to allay employee fears over a return to the office by offering additional flexibility Jessica Davies February 10, 2021 Digiday

So, with transmission rates still high in many parts of the world, including the United States, and large swaths of the population still unvaccinated, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

What do COVID-19 vaccines mean for daily life in the months ahead? Erin Garcia de Jesus January 29, 2021 Science News

The appeal filed Monday said Marchant had erred in several ways, including by accepting actions the General Assembly took last summer.

Residents ask high court to block removal of Richmond’s Robert E. Lee statue as Virginia prepares to act Gregory S. Schneider January 26, 2021 Washington Post

No one likes it when their sandcastle is knocked over, but his reaction is a bit, err, extreme.

Was Baby Jesus A Holy Terror? Candida Moss December 21, 2014 DAILY BEAST

They tend to err heavily on the side of the government where kidnapping is concerned.

Mexican Journalists Speak Out on Reporter Murders Jason McGahan June 17, 2014 DAILY BEAST

The bottom line is agencies almost always err on the side of caution.

Should Woody Allen Have Been Allowed to Adopt? Keli Goff February 7, 2014 DAILY BEAST

In other words, the vast majority of Americans seem to agree with the American Mullahs, err, “hard-liners.”

The Myth of the American Mullah James Kirchick December 14, 2013 DAILY BEAST

Err, yes, of course Newt Gingrich loved the number of debates.

Thanks, Newt, But We Should Have Fewer Debates Justin Green April 4, 2013 DAILY BEAST

And they that call this people blessed, shall cause them to err: and they that are called blessed, shall be thrown down, headlong.

The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version Various

Why hast thou made us to err, O Lord, from thy ways: why hast thou hardened our heart, that we should not fear thee?

The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version Various

Whatever his own personal blunders, it was impossible for Joseph Addison to err in a point of literary judgment.

A Cursory History of Swearing Julian Sharman

Is not your style so simple, frank, and direct that a wayfaring girl can read it and not err therein?

Penelope's Experiences in Scotland Kate Douglas Wiggin

It is under the abiding influence of the Holy Ghost, and therefore cannot err in matters of faith.

My Religion Leo Tolstoy

SEE MORE EXAMPLESSEE FEWER EXAMPLES

British Dictionary definitions for err

err

/ (ɜː) /

verb (intr)

to make a mistake; be incorrect

to stray from the right course or accepted standards; sin

to act with bias, esp favourable biasto err on the side of justice

Word Origin for

err

C14: erren to wander, stray, from Old French errer, from Latin errāre

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

WORD OF THE DAYamendatoryadjective [uh-men-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]SEE DEFINITION

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