error

er·ror

noun \ˈer-ər, ˈe-rər\

Definition of ERROR

1

a : an act or condition of ignorant or imprudent deviation from a code of behavior b : an act involving an unintentional deviation from truth or accuracy <made an error in adding up the bill> c : an act that through ignorance, deficiency, or accident departs from or fails to achieve what should be done <an error in judgment>: as (1) : a defensive misplay other than a wild pitch or passed ball made by a baseball player when normal play would have resulted in an out or prevented an advance by a base runner (2) : the failure of a player (as in tennis) to make a successful return of a ball during play d : a mistake in the proceedings of a court of record in matters of law or of fact

2

a : the quality or state of erring <the map is in error> b Christian Science : illusion about the nature of reality that is the cause of human suffering : the contradiction of truth c : an instance of false belief

3

: something produced by mistake <a typographical error>; especially : a postage stamp exhibiting a consistent flaw (as a wrong color) in its manufacture

4

a : the difference between an observed or calculated value and a true value; specifically : variation in measurements, calculations, or observations of a quantity due to mistakes or to uncontrollable factors b : the amount of deviation from a standard or specification

5

: a deficiency or imperfection in structure or function <an error of metabolism>

— er·ror·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of ERROR

1. I made an error in my calculations.
2. They uncovered several errors in his report to the committee.
3. The paper contains numerous spelling errors.
4. horrifying cases of hospital error
5. The shortstop was charged with an error.

Origin of ERROR

Middle English errour, from Anglo-French, from Latin error, from errare

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to ERROR

Synonyms: blunder, bobble, boob [British], boo-boo, brick, clanger [British], clinker, fault, flub, fluff, fumble, gaff, gaffe, goof, inaccuracy, lapse, miscue, misstep, mistake, oversight, screwup, slip, slipup, stumble, trip

Antonyms: noncrime

Related Words: bloomer, blooper, boner, howler, pratfall; foul-up, snafu; misapprehension, miscalculation, miscomprehension, misconception, misconstruction, miscue, misdescription, misimpression, misinterpretation, misjudgment, misreading, misstatement, misunderstanding

Near Antonyms: accuracy, correctness, exactitude, exactness, preciseness, precision, strictness; inerrancy, infallibility, perfection

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Synonym Discussion of ERROR

error, mistake, blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true, right, or proper. error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this <procedural errors>. mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error <dialed the wrong number by mistake>. blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame <diplomatic blunders>. slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes <a slip of the tongue>. lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause <a lapse in judgment>.

Rhymes with ERROR

airer, bearer, carer, sharer, starer, swearer, terror, wearer