err

verb \ ˈer , ˈər \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Examples: err in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Is it human to err?

Definition of err

erred; erring; errs

intransitive verb

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

See err defined for English-language learners

See err defined for kids

Examples of err in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of err from the Web

Margot, Green theorized, erred because he was focused on trying to get the ball quickly for a possible throw to third.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Things fall apart quickly for Padres in loss to Cubs," 13 July 2018
Add as much of the rosemary simple syrup as necessary for a sweet mixture — err on the sweet side because freezing diminishes some of the sweetness.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "It's time to start cooking with summer’s tasty top prize — Texas peaches," 10 July 2018
For all the richness of Mr. Brown’s new orchestrations, and the vitality of a five-person dance ensemble choreographed by Rennie Harris, this staging smartly errs on the side of less is more.

— laura collins-hughes, New York Times, "Review: Joyously Rediscovering ‘Songs for a New World’," 28 June 2018
Second, to err once is forgivable and even sometimes understandable.

— rabbi avi weiss, Jewish Journal, "The gift of opportunity is not limitless," 4 June 2018
Never was the old conventional maxim, that Nature cannot err, more flatly contradicted – never was the fair promise of a lovely figure more strangely and startlingly belied by the head that crowned it.

— constance grady, Vox, "Why Fahrenheit 451 still matters in the e-book era," 12 May 2018
However, anyone considering this reversal procedure should err on the side of caution.

— samantha sasso, refinery29.com, "Yes, You Can Remove Your Lip Fillers — Here's How," 9 July 2018
On the bases: With an opportunity to tie the game in the seventh and no outs, Tigers third base coach Dave Clark erred on the side of aggression.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers squander another game vs. Chicago Cubs, lose 5-2," 4 July 2018
Comey erred by bending over backward to placate their paranoia.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s Latest and Most Insane New Theory for Shutting Down Mueller Probe," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'err.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of err

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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