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

“The First Amendment requires us to err on the side of protecting political speech rather than suppressing it,” he wrote.

Read more on Salon

“Many people struggle to switch off a ‘savings mindset’ and err on the side of caution which can result in them failing to make the most of their money in retirement,” according to Fidelity International.

Read more on MarketWatch

Since October 2023, landlocked Ethiopia has been pushing for renewed access to the Red Sea, arguing that it had erred in relinquishing control of ports to Eritrea at the time of its independence.

Read more on BBC

"His recovery is probably a little bit slower than we thought but we're always erring on the side of caution," said Key.

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“I personally think we should be erring on the side of caution and adopt a more prudent vaccination policy.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• misbehave 
• miscalculate 
• stray 
• stumble