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err

verb
\ ˈer How to pronounce err (audio) , ˈər How to pronounce err (audio) \
erred; erring; errs

Definition of err

intransitive verb

1a : to make a mistake erred in his calculations erred on the side of caution
b : to violate an accepted standard of conduct
2 archaic : stray
Synonyms Is it human to err? More Example Sentences Learn More about err

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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.

Examples of err in a Sentence

I may have erred in my calculations. The court erred in refusing to allow bail.

Recent Examples on the Web

 The others are Giorgio Chiellini, Diego Godin, Mats Hummels, Raphael Varane, Leonardo Bonucci and, err, Thiago Silva? — SI.com, "An Ode to Gerard Pique: The Defining Central Defender of This Decade," 28 Aug. 2019 More accurately, Jesse errs on the side of telekinesis and material manipulation. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Review: Control is Remedy’s best game yet—and a ray tracing masterpiece," 26 Aug. 2019 But the script, by Guy Busick and Ryan Murphy, errs too far on the side of sardonic to be taken seriously as true social satire. — Katie Walsh, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: ‘Ready or Not’ sacrifices horror for irony and laughs to skewer the 1 percent," 22 Aug. 2019 Immediately before that play, however, Jones erred on a call for a screen pass that Whisenhunt said probably would have resulted in an easy touchdown. — Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, "Improving Cardale Jones must pass more preseason tests to make Chargers’ roster," 21 Aug. 2019 But the script, by Guy Busick and Ryan Murphy, errs a bit too far on the side of sardonic to be taken seriously as true social satire. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, "1-percenter slasher flick ‘Ready or Not’ too sardonic to be taken seriously as satire," 20 Aug. 2019 According to the gun manufacturer, however, Connecticut erred. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "A gunmaker wants the US Supreme Court to affirm its immunity from lawsuits," 8 Aug. 2019 If in doubt as to how far to cut a branch back, err on the side of pruning more. — Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "How to fight fire blight in crabapple trees," 1 Aug. 2019 McConnell has been Trump's chief enabler since Trump became the Republican nominee, often refusing to call him out in no uncertain terms when the president has erred. — Joseph Gerth, The Courier-Journal, "Amy McGrath fired first-day missile at her own foot, not at Mitch McConnell," 11 July 2019

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.

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First Known Use of err

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for err

Middle English, from Anglo-French errer, from Latin errare to wander, err; akin to Old English ierre wandering, perverse, Goth airzeis deceived

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More Definitions for err

err

verb
How to pronounce err (audio) How to pronounce err (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of err

formal : to make a mistake

See the full definition for err in the English Language Learners Dictionary

err

verb
\ ˈer How to pronounce err (audio) , ˈər\
erred; erring

Kids Definition of err

: to make a mistake

err

intransitive verb
\ ˈer, ˈər How to pronounce err (audio) \

Legal Definition of err

: to make an error the court erred in denying the motion

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More from Merriam-Webster on err

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with err

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for err

Spanish Central: Translation of err

Nglish: Translation of err for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of err for Arabic Speakers

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