erroneous

adjective

er·​ro·​ne·​ous i-ˈrō-nē-əs How to pronounce erroneous (audio)
e-
1
: containing or characterized by error : mistaken
erroneous assumptions
gave an erroneous impression
2
archaic : wandering
erroneously adverb
erroneousness noun

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How to Define Erroneous

Erroneous basically means "containing errors", and, since most of us are constantly suffering from mistaken notions, the word is often used in front of words such as "assumption" and "idea". It's also used to describe the kind of mistaken information that can lead to erroneous theories, erroneous conclusions, and erroneous decisions.

Examples of erroneous in a Sentence

When you're done, the programs scour your return for potential problems and erroneous data and let you correct them. Then, poof! Either print out your 1040 and related documents or follow the software prompts to file electronically. Kathy Yakal, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 1999
Here we come face-to-face with the uncompromising rules of golf as Mr. Dobereiner recounts how Roberto de Vincenzo lost the 1968 Masters Tournament by a single stroke because he signed an erroneous scorecard. Robert R. Harris, New York Times Book Review, 21 Oct. 1984
To say truth, nothing is more erroneous than the common observation, that men who are ill-natured and quarrelsome when they are drunk, are very worthy persons when they are sober: for drink, in reality, doth not reverse nature, or create passions in men which did not exist in them before. Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, 1749
a poorly researched news article about the new virus that was filled with much erroneous information
Recent Examples on the Web With inner ear disorders, the brain often receives erroneous signals from the inner ear that don’t match up with the reality of what the eyes and sensory nerves are detecting. Benjamin Plackett, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 Yearwood recounted how she was blindsided during an interview with a question about an erroneous tabloid story about her. Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for erroneous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erroneous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin erroneus, from erron-, erro wanderer, from errare — see err

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of erroneous was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near erroneous

Cite this Entry

“Erroneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erroneous. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

erroneous

adjective
er·​ro·​ne·​ous ir-ˈō-nē-əs How to pronounce erroneous (audio)
e-ˈrō-
: being wrong or inaccurate
especially : being or containing an error
an erroneous report
erroneously adverb
erroneousness noun

Legal Definition

erroneous

adjective
er·​ro·​ne·​ous i-ˈrō-nē-əs, e- How to pronounce erroneous (audio)
: containing or characterized by error see also clearly erroneous
erroneously adverb
erroneousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on erroneous

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