errand

[er-uhnd]

noun

1. a short and quick trip to accomplish a specific purpose, as to buy something, deliver a package, or convey a message, often for someone else.

   Synonyms: chore, assignment, task, mission

2. the purpose of such a trip.

   He finished his errands.

   Synonyms: chore, assignment, task, mission

3. a special mission or function entrusted to a messenger; commission.

errand

/ ˈɛrənd /

noun

1. a short trip undertaken to perform a necessary task or commission (esp in the phrase run errands )

2. the purpose or object of such a trip

Word History and Origins

Origin of errand¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English erande, Old English ærende; cognate with Old High German āruntī; compare Old English ār “messenger,” Gothic airus; not related to err ( def. ), errant ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of errand¹

Old English ǣrende; related to ār messenger, Old Norse erendi message, Old High German ārunti, Swedish ärende

Idioms and Phrases

see fool's errand; run an errand.

Example Sentences

This is what busy grown-ups tend to do, especially in the morning when there are jobs to get to and errands to run.

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The moment was so agreeable, and so unexpected, that she nearly forgot the reason for her errand—but not quite.

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“Now I’ve a tasty errand to run. Here’s my stop. Enjoy your day.”

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Often I’d be the one my parents would send on that errand.

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Rucker founded Cobblestone Concierge, which offers personal assistant services such as “home management, organization, errand service and so much more!” according to her LinkedIn profile.

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