err
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to go astray in thought or belief; be mistaken; be incorrect.
-
to go astray morally; sin.
To err is human.
- Synonyms:
- lapse, transgress
-
Archaic. to deviate from the true course, aim, or purpose.
idioms
verb
-
to make a mistake; be incorrect
-
to stray from the right course or accepted standards; sin
-
to act with bias, esp favourable bias
to err on the side of justice
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has erredperfect 3rd person singular
-
have erredperfect
-
am erringprogressive 1st person singular
-
is erringprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been erringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are erringprogressive
-
errssingular 3rd person
-
have been erringperfect progressive
-
erringparticiple
Past
-
had erredperfect
-
had been erringperfect progressive
-
was erringprogressive singular
-
were erringprogressive plural
-
erredsimple
-
erredparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of err
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 )
Explanation
When you err, you make a mistake or do something wrong. When a newspaper reporter errs in a printed story, the paper often prints a correction the next day. By itself, err, which shares a Latin root with error, is a formal way to say "mess up." The proverb "To err is human, to forgive divine" is an old-fashioned version of "Hey, everyone makes mistakes. Why don't you be the bigger person and let it go?" Err can also mean to go in a certain direction, as in another common saying, "Err on the side of caution," or "Play it safe."
Vocabulary lists containing err
Grade 10, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Essential Three-Letter Words, Part 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Auggie & Me
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Err on the side of caution and take them out early, as you do not want to overcook your shrimp.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2024
"Err, well if she doesn't have the ball then she can't do anything. That's a good start, right?" joked Williamson.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2024
Err on the side of eating a little earlier than you might prefer in order to avoid eating dinner at 8:30 p.m. when you’re well past the hangry stage.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 20, 2021
Err always on the side of your baby’s safety.
From Slate • Jan. 24, 2020
It is a good job that the Duke of Err is out of the way.
From The White Plumes of Navarre A Romance of the Wars of Religion by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
