err

[ur, er]

verb (used without object)

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

2. to go astray morally; sin.

   To err is human.

   Synonyms: lapse, transgress

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

err

/ ɜː /

verb

1. to make a mistake; be incorrect

2. to stray from the right course or accepted standards; sin

3. to act with bias, esp favourable bias

   to err on the side of justice

Other Word Forms

• errability noun
• errable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of err¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English erren, from Old French errer, from Latin errāre “to make a mistake; wander”; akin to Gothic airzjan, Old High German irrôn ( German irren )

Word History and Origins

Origin of err¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. err on the side of caution. err on the side of caution.

Example Sentences

However, in court on Thursday, her lawyer said the judge "erred in declining" Cooper to participate in proceedings.

From BBC

The amount of attention is unprecedented for a fifth-round draft pick and Sanders erred in June as he was caught speeding twice in two weeks in Ohio.

From BBC

The Thais argued that the French cartographers had erred in moving the border away from the watershed, the agreed dividing line, putting the temple in Cambodia.

From BBC

The Supreme Court justices said the appeals court erred in January 2024 when it ruled against the environmental groups.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a feeling after the Belgian Grand Prix that the race director had erred on the side of caution a little too much in deciding when the race should be started.

From BBC

Related Words

• misbehave 
• miscalculate 
• stray 
• stumble