erratic

[ih-rat-ik]

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.

noun

1. an erratic or eccentric person.

2. Geology.,  an erratic boulder or the like.

erratic

/ ɪˈrætɪk /

adjective

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

2. having no fixed or regular course; wandering

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of erratic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of erratic¹

C14: from Latin errāticus, from errāre to wander, _err

Example Sentences

That’s been the overwhelming motivation for residents in this neighborhood, who have refused to relent against an erratic landslide that has presented challenge after challenge.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They were forced to leave after 30 minutes because of danger from the erratic winds.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Because of the erosion of market institutions in the U.S., erratic policy, and the potential for inflation, we may see the dollar go lower, from a historically high level, over the next couple of years.

Read more on Barron's

Already feeling financial pressure in her catering business due to increasing food costs, which she attributed to the president’s erratic tariffs, she decided to close the doors.

Read more on Salon

When flames erupted near Eaton Canyon around 6:30 p.m., erratic hurricane-force winds carried red-hot embers for miles, igniting countless small fires that ultimately destroyed thousands of homes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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