err

verb \ ˈer , ˈər \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

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

Caraux erred when his weak clearance attempt in the 46th minute fell to Ledesma’s feet inside the penalty area.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati dumps four goals on Atlanta, moves into 1st place in USL Eastern Conference," 5 May 2018
Miami erred early on during a 6-0 loss to Philadelphia in front of 5,941 at Marlins Park, and Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola made sure the blunders were highlighted with 7 1/3 shutout innings.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Uneven beginning buries Marlins as win streak is snapped in shutout," 3 May 2018
Courts have found that the trial judge did not err in allowing Moody to represent himself.

— kent faulk, AL.com, "Walter Leroy Moody seeks stay of execution for judge's pipe bomb slaying," 15 Apr. 2018
The court determined that Williams erred in certifying Lamborn's petition for the 5th Congressional District.

— Fox News, "Colorado Supreme Court kicks GOP Rep. Lamborn off primary ballot," 23 Apr. 2018
Chapman argued Swartz was killed by the first volley and erred by continuing to fire when Elena Rodriguez was still on the ground.

— rob o'dell, azcentral, "Border Patrol agent Lonnie Swartz's murder case goes to the jury," 17 Apr. 2018
Starting from their own 20-yard line with one timeout, Johnny Football went to work....err or at least tried to.

— demetrio teniente, Houston Chronicle, "Johnny Manziel tosses touchdown in first Spring League game," 7 Apr. 2018
Gira acknowledged that when trustees approved the ordinance to make the position full-time there was no language specifically requiring record-keeping on the part of the mayor, and that the board may have erred in not including that.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Orland Park trustees may reconsider full-time mayor," 3 Apr. 2018
Iowa State University history professor Stacy Cordery said most people will forgive an erring man when his wife stands by him.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "First lady stays in Palm Beach, escapes headlines on husband's alleged affairs," 31 Mar. 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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