erratic

American  

[ih-rat-ik] / ɪˈræt ɪk /

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.

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noun

1. an erratic or eccentric person.

2. Geology. an erratic boulder or the like.

erratic British  

/ ɪˈrætɪk /

adjective

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

2. having no fixed or regular course; wandering

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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

Etymology

Origin of erratic

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

Example Sentences

Rising deficits, erratic trade negotiations, unpredictable tariff edicts, and a perceived attack on the Federal Reserve have all combined to push Treasury bond yields higher.

From Barron's

“It’s not good for companies to have this level of very increased risk coming from the erratic policy environment,” said Ben Backwell, chief executive of the Global Wind Energy Council, an industry group.

From The Wall Street Journal

The five-time major winner fired seven birdies in an opening 66 to lead after round one but hit four shots into the water in an erratic second-round 74 on Friday.

From BBC

Rory McIlroy hit four shots into the water in an erratic second round at the Dubai Invitational as he slipped out of the lead.

From BBC

An erratic Madison Keys struck nearly 50 unforced errors Thursday as the Australian Open champion crashed out of her final warm-up for this year's opening Grand Slam to teenager Victoria Mboko.

From Barron's

Related Words

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