err

American  

[ur, er] / ɜr, ɛr /

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.

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idioms

1. err on the side of caution.  err on the side of caution.

err British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• errability noun
• errable adjective

Etymology

Origin of err

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 )

Example Sentences

It seems Gen. Tomer-Yerushalmi and her collaborators were unable to entertain the possibility they had erred in prosecuting the reservists.

From The Wall Street Journal

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the team were erring on the side of caution in their handling of Wembanyama's calf problem.

From Barron's

Now there is a trend to err on the side of caution.

From BBC

Leaders’ first instinct was to err on the side of caution.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a private staff meeting Wednesday, Mr. Roberts recognized he had erred with his no-enemies-to-the-right talk.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• misbehave
• miscalculate
• stray
• stumble