err
verb
ˈər intransitive verb
Did you know?
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.
Synonyms
- blunder
- boob [British]
- flub
- fluff
- foul up
- fumble
- goof (up)
- louse up
- mess (up)
- screw up
- slip up
- stumble
- trip
Example Sentences
Madison Muller, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 In the super-secretive world of the NFL, prying eyes are rarely a good thing, which is why teams err on the side of caution on public days and tend to keep things relatively basic. Tim Reynolds, ajc, 30 July 2022 The government’s aggressive stance on potential sanctions violations is likely encouraging companies to err heavily on the side of caution, according to Mr. Steele, a partner at consulting firm Forensic Risk Alliance. Jean Eaglesham, WSJ, 27 July 2022 The isolation approach is designed to err on the side of caution. Dustin Webber, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Others may err in the other direction by being too timid, waiting in vain for board members to reach out to them. Kevin Kelleher, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 So doctors may err on the side of their own legal safety when making decisions about patient care. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 30 June 2022 The Browns will err on the side of caution this preseason and play Baker Mayfield and the rest of their starters sparingly or not at all in the final two exhibition games. cleveland, 14 Aug. 2021 Though the silhouettes tend to err on the simple side, Isa Boulder pieces are in fact extremely intricate. José Criales-unzueta, Vogue, 29 July 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French errer, from Latin errare to wander, err; akin to Old English ierre wandering, perverse, Goth airzeis deceived
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing err
Kids Definition
err
verb
Legal Definition
err
intransitive verb
erring 1 of 2
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- errant
- fallen
- unscrupulous
- unprincipled
- improper
- naughty
- incorrect
- unseemly
- unbecoming
- indecent
- indecorous
- condemned
- disallowed
- vulgar
- wretched
- dishonest
- miserable
- barred
- discouraged
- lousy
- execrable
- forbidden
- unauthorized
- prohibited
- corrupt
- interdicted
- dishonorable
- proscribed
- pernicious
- cursed
- dissolute
- unclean
- illegal
- perverted
- banned
- reprobate
- ungodly
- ugly
- cussed
- loose
- defiling
- libertine
- depraved
- pestilential
- unwholesome
- sick
- debauched
- blameworthy
- degenerate
- censurable
- debased
- outlawed
- noxious
- blamable
- curst
- scrofulous
- objectionable
- cruel
- unhealthy
- low-minded
- offensive
- reprehensible
- obscene
- infamous
- atrocious
- nasty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- right
- virtuous
- moral
- good
- scrupulous
- upright
- honest
- righteous
- honorable
- ethical
- noble
- high
- just
- sublime
- decent
- legitimate
- lofty
- reputable
- legal
- elevated
- permitted
- permissible
- correct
- proper
- principled
- authorized
- licensed
- allowed
- innocent
- endorsed
- exemplary
- law-abiding
- guiltless
- sanctioned
- approved
- high-minded
- blameless
- decent
- encouraged
- legitimate
- supported
- white
- seemly
- decorous
- clean
- promoted
- commendable
- pure
- chaste
- unerring
- perfect
- worthy
- creditable
- incorruptible
- irreproachable
- venerable
- uncorrupted
- esteemed
- abetted
- indorsed
- wholesome
- respected
- unobjectionable
- inoffensive
- immaculate
- spotless
- unfallen
- upstanding
- squeaky-clean
- lily-white
erring
2 of 2verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- stumbling
- fumbling
- tripping
- blundering
- mistaking
- misunderstanding
- nodding
- fluffing
- flubbing
- slipping up
- screwing up
- bungling
- misjudging
- boobing
- fouling up
- murdering
- misconceiving
- lousing up
- dropping the ball
- mangling
- miscalculating
- misconstruing
- laying an egg
- goofing (up)
- miscounting
- mishandling
- botching
- miscuing
- foozling
- misinterpreting
- butchering
- bobbling
- muffing
- misdeeming
- messing (up)
- misgauging
- misgaging
Synonyms & Similar Words
- wandering
- straying
- falling
- offending
- sinning
- transgressing
- trespassing
- violating
- backsliding
- falling from grace
- breaching
- infringing
- lapsing
- breaking
- breaking the law
- messing up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- forgiving
- justifying
- repenting
- pardoning
- regretting
- ruing