1 errant | Definition of errant
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

errant

adjective
er·​rant | \ ˈer-É™nt How to pronounce errant (audio) , ˈe-rÉ™nt\

Definition of errant

1a : behaving wrongly an errant child
b : straying outside the proper path or bounds an errant calf
c : moving about aimlessly or irregularly an errant breeze
d : fallible
2 : traveling or given to traveling an errant knight
Other Words from errant Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about errant

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from errant

errant noun
errantly adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for errant

Synonyms

bad, contrary, froward, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty

Antonyms

behaved, behaving, nice, orderly

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Did You Know?

Errant has a split history. It comes from Anglo-French, a language in which two confusingly similar verbs with identical spellings ("errer") coexisted. One errer meant "to err" and comes from the Latin errare, meaning "to wander" or "to err." The second errer meant "to travel," and traces to the Latin iter, meaning "road" or "journey." Both "errer" homographs contributed to the development of "errant," which not surprisingly has to do with both moving about and being mistaken. A "knight-errant" travels around in search of adventures. Cowboys round up "errant calves." An "errant child" is one who misbehaves. (You might also see "arrant" occasionally - it's a word that originated as an alteration of "errant" and that usually means "extreme" or "shameless.")

Examples of errant in a Sentence

what he considers to be no more than errant conduct toward women would be regarded as sexual harassment by most people the errant gunslinger as a standard character in western novels

Recent Examples on the Web

 On this course, one errant swing could easily bring about two, three, even four more shots. — Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, "Kurtenbach: Why is the U.S. Open not played at Pebble Beach more often?," 16 June 2019 Josué Colmán’s first shot off the post was set up because Rocha stepped up to the middle of the pitch, snatched away an errant pass and found Sacha Kljestan, who laid the ball off for Colmán. — Jordan Culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City’s attack not finishing chances without Dom Dwyer," 3 June 2018 The Hershey native had a quiet night, though, and was subbed off late in the game after being hit in the head by an errant pass. — Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com, "Josh Sargent, Tim Weah score in U.S. soccer team's 3-0 win over Bolivia," 28 May 2018 Simons said that CdM was holding the ball for the last shot in the final two minutes of regulation, but an errant pass led to a turnover. — Matt Szabo, latimes.com, "CdM coach Aly Simons to step down after girls’ lacrosse season," 12 Apr. 2018 Of course, there is an assortment of errant passes available for visual consumption, which would scare just about anyone who evaluates potential NFL players for a living. — Hayden Grove, cleveland.com, "Why Josh Allen should be the quarterback of choice for Cleveland Browns in NFL Draft: Hayden Grove," 11 Apr. 2018 But Marisnick’s teammates and manager took exception to how high Ramirez’s errant pitch rode. — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, "Benches clear in Angels-Astros game after Jake Marisnick is hit by a pitch," 16 July 2019 During a game between the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and the Lancaster Barnstormers, Tony Thomas, 33, was at bat in the bottom of the 6th inning when an errant pitch bounced behind the catcher and toward the backstop. — Fox News, "Atlantic League player steals first base in historic feat," 14 July 2019 Rico Portal’s hair rains into soft piles as Mike buzzes at his neck and angles the clipper up around his ears, nipping quickly in for errant ear hairs. — Catherine Blinder, courant.com, "Neighborhood barbershops: A place to belong, to talk truths, to become men," 10 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'errant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of errant

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for errant

Middle English erraunt, from Anglo-French errant, present participle of errer to err & errer to travel, from Late Latin iterare, from Latin iter road, journey — more at itinerant

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for errant

errant

adjective
How to pronounce errant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of errant

: behaving wrongly
US : going outside the proper area
US, sports : not going in the intended direction : not accurate

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

errant

adjective
er·​rant | \ ˈer-É™nt How to pronounce errant (audio) \

Kids Definition of errant

1 : wandering in search of adventure an errant knight
2 : straying from a proper course an errant golf ball

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on errant

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with errant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for errant

Spanish Central: Translation of errant

Nglish: Translation of errant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of errant for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!