erratic

American  

[ih-rat-ik] / ɪˈræt ɪk /

adjective

1. deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion; eccentric.

   erratic behavior.

   Synonyms:

   capricious, unstable, unpredictable

   Antonyms:

   stable, regular, consistent

2. inconsistent, irregular, or unpredictable.

   Many factors affect purchasing power, such as inflation and erratic swings in the stock market.

3. having no certain or definite course or pattern; wandering; not fixed.

   erratic winds.

4. Geology. noting or pertaining to a boulder or the like carried by glacial ice and deposited some distance from its place of origin.

5. (of a lichen) having no attachment to the surface on which it grows.

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noun

1. an erratic or eccentric person.

2. Geology. an erratic boulder or the like.

erratic British  

/ ɪˈrætɪk /

adjective

1. irregular in performance, behaviour, or attitude; inconsistent and unpredictable

2. having no fixed or regular course; wandering

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noun

1. a piece of rock that differs in composition, shape, etc, from the rock surrounding it, having been transported from its place of origin, esp by glacial action

2. an erratic person or thing

Other Word Forms

• erratically adverb
• erraticism noun
• nonerratic adjective
• unerratic adjective

Etymology

Origin of erratic

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin errāticus, equivalent to errāt(us) (past participle of errāre “to make a mistake, err” ( err ) + -icus -ic

Example Sentences

World number one Scottie Scheffler crept back up the leaderboard with a second round of 66, putting him six-under for the tournament after an erratic opening round of 72.

From Barron's

Scheffler was at even par after an erratic round that included three birdies and three bogeys.

From Barron's

Grimes, for his part, spent years developing a relationship with Musk, becoming one of the few bankers the erratic entrepreneur “tolerates,” according to a SpaceX investor who knows both men.

From The Wall Street Journal

When Warsh wrote another opinion article years later describing the Fed’s policies as confusing and erratic, he drew a pointed rebuttal from Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari.

From The Wall Street Journal

Vice President JD Vance opened the meeting, noting that consistent investment in critical mineral industries is “nearly impossible” with erratic pricing, driven by foreign supplies flooding markets before new projects can get off the ground.

From Barron's

Related Words

• abnormal
• arbitrary
• bizarre
• capricious
• eccentric
• inconsistent
• irregular
• mercurial
• uncertain
• unreliable
• unstable
• unusual
• volatile
• wayward
• weird
• whimsical