err

err

intransitive verb \ˈer, ˈər\

Definition of ERR

1

archaic : stray

2

a : to make a mistake <erred in his calculations> <erred on the side of caution>

b : to violate an accepted standard of conduct

Examples of ERR

1. I may have erred in my calculations.
2. The court erred in refusing to allow bail.

Origin of ERR

Middle English, from Anglo-French errer, from Latin errare to wander, err; akin to Old English ierre wandering, perverse, Gothic airzeis deceived

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ERR

Synonyms

blunder, boob [British], flub, fluff, foul up, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), screw up, slip up, stumble, trip, drop the ball, lay an egg

Related Words

nod; bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, foozle, mangle, mishandle, muff, murder; miscalculate, misconceive, miscount, miscue, misdeem, misgauge, misjudge, mistake; misconstrue, misinterpret, misunderstand

Near Antonyms

forgive, justify, pardon; regret, repent, rue

Rhymes with ERR

air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare