erratic

[ ih-rat-ik ]

adjective

1. deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion; eccentric:

   erratic behavior.

   Synonyms: capricious, unstable, unpredictable

   Antonyms: stable, regular, consistent

2. inconsistent, irregular, or unpredictable:

   Many factors affect purchasing power, such as inflation and erratic swings in the stock market.

3. having no certain or definite course or pattern; wandering; not fixed:

   erratic winds.

4. Geology. noting or pertaining to a boulder or the like carried by glacial ice and deposited some distance from its place of origin.
5. (of a lichen) having no attachment to the surface on which it grows.

noun

1. an erratic or eccentric person.
2. Geology. an erratic boulder or the like.

erratic

/ ɪˈrætɪk /

adjective

1. irregular in performance, behaviour, or attitude; inconsistent and unpredictable
2. having no fixed or regular course; wandering

noun

1. a piece of rock that differs in composition, shape, etc, from the rock surrounding it, having been transported from its place of origin, esp by glacial action
2. an erratic person or thing

Derived Forms

• erˈratically, adverb

Other Words From

• er·rat·i·cal·ly adverb
• er·rat·i·cism noun
• non·er·rat·ic adjective noun
• un·er·rat·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of erratic¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin errāticus, equivalent to errāt(us) (past participle of errāre “to make a mistake, err” ( err ) + -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of erratic¹

C14: from Latin errāticus, from errāre to wander, err

Example Sentences

It was a strong finish to what was, at times, an erratic debut for Maiava, who opened the afternoon with a pick-six.

From Los Angeles Times

From what I could tell after visiting the property on Tuesday, this fire was wildly erratic.

From Los Angeles Times

He has also proven erratic, at one point praising them, at another insulting them and starting trade wars with China.

From Salon

Raiola has been especially erratic in recent weeks, throwing six interceptions to just one touchdown in his last four games.

From Los Angeles Times

He's always been hateful and erratic, and it's clearly getting worse as he approaches 80 years old.

From Salon

Related Words

• abnormal
• arbitrary
• bizarre
• capricious
• eccentric
• inconsistent
• irregular
• mercurial
• uncertain
• unreliable
• unstable
• unusual
• volatile
• wayward
• weird
• whimsical