err

verb

ˈer  ˈər 

erred; erring; errs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a mistake

erred in his calculations

erred on the side of caution

b

: to violate an accepted standard of conduct

2

archaic : stray

Did you know?

Is it human to err?

Many people are familiar with the word err from encountering it in the epigram “to err is human; to forgive, divine.” This phrase is found in Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism, from 1711. Earlier expressions of the same sentiment exist, as in Thomas Jones’ 1678 book, Of the Heart, and its Right Soveraign, which contains the line “to err, is human, to recover, is Angelical; to persevere is Diabolical.”

Err is also often found in the phrase err on the side of caution, to suggest that being overly cautious is better than not being cautious enough.

Err stems from the Latin word errare, meaning “to stray, wander,” and it retained that meaning when it first entered English. We find the same Latin ancestor at the root of the words error, erratic, and erroneous.

Synonyms of err

• stumble
• fumble
• trip
• blunder

Examples of err in a Sentence

I may have erred in my calculations.

The court erred in refusing to allow bail.

Recent Examples on the Web

But no Dolphins defender erred worse than linebacker Tyrel Dodson; a clear target on Stevenson's 15-yard touchdown and non-factor on multiple interior runs. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

Don’t err by thinking these fans can just walk out of the jail, reclaiming their Sundays for something fun. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026

Over in the Deer District, err Cheer District, there's the City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree and more than 30 other trees lit up around Fiserv Forum. —Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Just last week, the Ohio Supreme Court had found the appellate court erred in blocking the challenge and returned it to the lower court for reconsideration. —CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing err

• err on the side of
• err on the side of caution
• to err is human

Rhymes for err

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• eyre
• fair
• fare

Kids Definition

err

verb

ˈe(ə)r  ˈər 

1

: to make a mistake

erred in my calculations

2

: to do wrong : sin

Legal Definition

err

intransitive verb

ˈer, ˈər 

: to make an error

the court erred in denying the motion