errant

er·rant

adjective \ˈer-ənt, ˈe-rənt\

Definition of ERRANT

1

: traveling or given to traveling <an errant knight>

2

a : straying outside the proper path or bounds <an errant calf>

b : moving about aimlessly or irregularly <an errant breeze>

c : behaving wrongly <an errant child>

d : fallible

— errant noun

— er·rant·ly adverb

Examples of ERRANT

1. <what he considers to be no more than errant conduct toward women would be regarded as sexual harassment by most people>
2. <the errant gunslinger as a standard character in western novels>

Origin of ERRANT

Middle English erraunt, from Anglo-French errant, present participle of errer to err & errer to travel, from Late Latin iterare, from Latin iter road, journey — more at itinerant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ERRANT

Synonyms

bad, contrary, naughty, froward, misbehaving, mischievous

Antonyms

behaved, behaving, nice, orderly

Related Words

defiant, disrespectful, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impolite, improper, impudent, indecorous, insolent, rude, uncouth, unmannerly; disobedient, headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, refractory, transgressing, unruly, untoward, willful (or wilful); balky, restive, uncontrollable, ungovernable, wayward, wild; arch, elfish, impish, knavish, monkeying, monkeyish, ornery, pixieish, prankish, rascally, roguish, waggish; dissolute, perverse, wrongheaded; disorderly, rowdy, ruffianly; corrupt, evil, wicked; insurgent, mutinous, rebellious; disobliging, inconsiderate, selfish, thoughtless, unkind, unkindly; babyish, childish, immature, infantile, jejune, juvenile, kiddish, puerile

Near Antonyms

acquiescent, compliant, complying, dutiful, obedient, submissive; clean, correct, decent, decorous, moral, proper, respectable; considerate, courteous, kindly, mannerly, polite, thoughtful; angelic (or angelical), cherubic, divine, heavenly; amenable, docile, governable, tractable; amiable, complaisant, good-natured, obliging, pleasant; discreet, modest; adult, grown-up, mature

Rhymes with ERRANT

parent