error
Pluralerrors
Pluralerrors
Formserrors, erroring, errored
- 1A mistake, or something done, said or made wrongly, usually by accident.
Like writing down the wrong number without meaning to.
I made a small error when I added up the bill.
Her essay had a few spelling errors near the end.
UsageSay make an error, just like make a mistake.
Similarmistake, inaccuracy, slip, blunder, fault
Note
- 2In computers, a problem that a program finds and reports, which may stop what it is doing.
Like a machine that suddenly shuts off before the job is done.
The program stopped with an error before saving my work.
I got an error when I tried to open the file.
UsageA computer shows an error or an error message.
Note
- 3The gap between a measured or calculated number and the real, correct value.
Like guessing a friend's height and being off by an inch.
There was a small error in the measurement of the table's length.
Rounding the numbers introduced a tiny error into the total.
UsageOften margin of error.
Similardeviation, inaccuracy, discrepancy
Note
- 4The state of being wrong about something.
Like being on the wrong road but not knowing it yet.
Mom was in error about the date of the party.
Realizing he was in error, he changed his vote.
UsageIn error means by mistake.
Similarmistake, fault, inaccuracy
Oppositeaccuracy, correctness
Note
- 5In baseball, a fielding mistake that lets a batter or runner gain a base, or lets a batter keep batting.
Like dropping a ball you should have caught easily.
The shortstop's error let the runner reach second base.
He was upset about the error he made in the final inning.
UsageA player makes an error or is charged with one.
Note
- 6A mistake made during a trial that may be a reason to review the court's decision.
Like finding a broken rule in a game that means it should be replayed.
The lawyer argued that error during the trial made the verdict unfair.
They appealed, claiming there was error in how the case was handled.
UsageLawyers say there was error at trial.
Note
- 7A sin or wrong act against what is right or holy.
Like knowingly wandering off the right path.
The monk prayed every night that God would forgive his errors.
The preacher said that pride is an error in the eyes of God.
Similarsin, wrongdoing, transgression, wickedness
Oppositevirtue, righteousness
Less common meanings
- 8Of a computer program or system, to stop working properly because something has gone wrong.
Like a toy that beeps and stops working when something goes wrong inside.
The app will error if you type letters in the number box.
The app keeps erroring when I try to upload a photo.
UsageOften error out: the page errored out. For people, say err.
Similarfail
- 9To make a mistake or do something wrong.
Error is not just permitted by diversity; it is what permits diversity.... The beetle had “errored” beautifully
2001, Daniel D. Dancer, Shards and Circles: Artistic Adventures in Spirit and EcologyHere, errored means made a mistake or went wrong.By doing so examiners are erroring in the direction of drawing hypotheses based on greater evidence of reliability and validity.
2000, Randy W. Kamphaus, Clinical Assessment of Child And Adolescent IntelligenceHere, erroring means making a mistake or being wrong.UsageUse err instead: err on the side of caution. In everyday speech, make a mistake is more natural.
Note
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Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin error, meaning "wandering about," from the verb errō, "to wander." It reached English through Old French and Anglo-Norman.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Error derives from Latin error, meaning "wandering about". en.wiktionary.org
- Latin error derives from errō, meaning "to wander". en.wiktionary.org
- The word reached English through Old French and Anglo-Norman. en.wiktionary.org