err

[ er, ur ]

verb (used without object)

1. to go astray in thought or belief; be mistaken; be incorrect.
2. to go astray morally; sin:

   To err is human.

   Synonyms: lapse, transgress

3. Archaic. to deviate from the true course, aim, or purpose.

err

/ ɜː /

verb

1. to make a mistake; be incorrect
2. to stray from the right course or accepted standards; sin
3. to act with bias, esp favourable bias

   to err on the side of justice

Other Words From

• err·a·bil·i·ty [er-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee, ur-] noun
• err·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of err¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English erren, from Old French errer, from Latin errāre “to make a mistake; wander”; akin to Gothic airzjan, Old High German irrôn ( German irren )

Word History and Origins

Origin of err¹

C14: erren to wander, stray, from Old French errer, from Latin errāre

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. err on the side of caution. err on the side of caution.

Example Sentences

Awards shows are platforms performers use to acknowledge whatever political or social strife is souring life outside the Hollywood bubble, although on the surface, their producers try to err on the side of non-partisanship.

From Salon

"On balance, with inflation pressures subdued, there is no reason for the Fed not to err on the side of caution and frontload rate cuts," she said.

From BBC

Be precise about your recipes and err on the side of less — especially at the beginning.

From Salon

With less than three weeks before the Sept. 8 opener at Detroit, McVay will err on the side of caution when it comes to his 36-year-old quarterback.

From Los Angeles Times

“I have no interest in benefiting any particular player” in the kratom industry, but chose to err on the side of less potency, to the chagrin of “people who want to sell much stronger versions of kratom,” Haney said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• misbehave
• miscalculate
• stray
• stumble