errand

American  

[er-uhnd] / ˈɛr ənd /

noun

• errands
  plural

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 British  

/ 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

---

errand Idioms  

1. see fool's errand; run an errand.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• errands
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of errand

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. )

---

Explanation

An errand is a short trip to fulfill some small business. When you’re running errands, you’re making a bunch of these all at once. The noun errand can refer to the mission of the trip itself. If the lines are always long at the bank, then banking may be your least favorite errand. If you are off on a wild goose chase, you may be out on a fool's errand. If you are taking food or clothing to someone in need, then you are on an errand of mercy.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

errand errands

A digital waitlist lets you wander around the neighborhood, browse the shops, maybe get a head start on another errand.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

Meta’s Muse, a computer errand boy that lives in a smartphone app, has a furry, rotund little mascot.

From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026

Rojas saw one of Avi’s posters while running an errand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Completing a simple errand turned into the worst day of their lives.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

“Mr. Harley-Dickinson used the velocipede to run an errand, but there is a chance it may be stolen property, and now I fear he is being held by the authorities.”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

It's what her Gen Z job candidates are doing, she said, warning it makes it look like the interview is "just a stop on your list of errands for the day".

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

But if Muse doesn’t become reliable at doing computer errands, one of its competitors probably will.

From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026

Investigators found that Chavez-DeRemer repeatedly used federal employees for personal errands, including sending her personal aide and executive assistant to her home during the workday to organize her bedroom closet.

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

Kandace Redd, a AAA spokesperson, said the organization’s past research shows that consumers are most likely to drive less, combine errands and reduce shopping or dining out to cope with record pump prices.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

“Iola and I are supposed to be watching her while Mom runs some errands at the shopping center across the street.”

From "Trouble at the Arcade (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #1)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---