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

Many people living outside the evacuation zone in Fukushima decided to err on the side of caution, too.

Read more on Literature

Markets erred when they gave America Online the currency to buy Time Warner.

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Leaders’ first instinct was to err on the side of caution.

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In a private staff meeting Wednesday, Mr. Roberts recognized he had erred with his no-enemies-to-the-right talk.

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There’s also an argument that the Jays erred in not sacrificing in the eighth inning with Ernie Clement on second after another leadoff double.

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Related Words

• misbehave 
• miscalculate 
• stray 
• stumble