err

verb \ ˈer , ˈər \

Definition of err

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

Err on the side of extra when shopping for a sous-vide device, Hardesty said.

— liz biro, Indianapolis Star, "How to cook the perfect steak every time," 28 Aug. 2017
Most of the roughly 50,000 vehicle assists ERR logs each year don’t involve a tow.

— paul egan, Detroit Free Press, "MDOT's courtesy vans caught up in Fiore towing scandal; operator accused of fraud, evasion," 23 Aug. 2017
Now, J.Crew made it easier wear your sign on your sleeve—err, okay, technically on your shirt—with its latest capsule collection.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "How J.Crew Does 'Dressing for Your Zodiac Sign'," 15 Aug. 2017
Since very little study has been done on the abrasive effects of charcoal on teeth, Lituchy advises erring on the side of caution and brushing the paste on very gently to avoid wearing down the enamel which can ultimately make teeth look darker.

— alexandra tunell, Harper's BAZAAR, "Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe to Use?," 9 Aug. 2017
In some cases, the often intricate creations can even err on the painful side.

— kaleigh fasanella, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner's Madame Tussauds Wax Figure Is Wearing Her Met Gala Balmain Dress," 19 July 2017
In particular, the attorneys said an electrical line was too small to supply the warehouse and that firefighters erred by punching a hole in the roof of the structure shortly after arriving that drew air into the building and fanned the flames.

— paul elias, The Seattle Times, "2 men charged in fatal Oakland warehouse fire to enter pleas," 7 July 2017
The coffee flavor is pretty subtle, (think, less powerful than coffee ice cream) probably due to the fact that these are trying to emulate a mocha, and specifically a Dunkin’ mocha—which err on the sweeter, creamier side—at that.

— adam campbell-schmitt, PEOPLE.com, "Oreo’s Dunkin’ Donuts Mocha Cookies Are Here," 3 July 2017
While some folks manage to escape the warmer months relatively unscathed — err, unbitten — others aren't quite so lucky.

— rosemary donahue, Allure, "If You Get Terrible Reactions to Mosquito Bites, There’s a Reason for That," 3 July 2017

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

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