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error

noun
er·​ror | \ ˈer-É™r How to pronounce error (audio) , ˈe-rÉ™r\

Definition of error

1a : an act or condition of ignorant or imprudent deviation from a code of behavior
b : an act involving an unintentional deviation from truth or accuracy made an error in adding up the bill
c : an act that through ignorance, deficiency, or accident departs from or fails to achieve what should be done an error in judgment : such as
(1) : a defensive misplay other than a wild pitch or passed ball made by a baseball player when normal play would have resulted in an out or prevented an advance by a base runner
(2) : the failure of a player (as in tennis) to make a successful return of a ball during play
d : a mistake in the proceedings of a court of record in matters of law or of fact
2a : the quality or state of erring the map is in error
b Christian Science : illusion about the nature of reality that is the cause of human suffering : the contradiction of truth
c : an instance of false belief
3 : something produced by mistake a typographical error especially : a postage stamp exhibiting a consistent flaw (such as a wrong color) in its manufacture
4a : the difference between an observed or calculated value and a true value specifically : variation in measurements, calculations, or observations of a quantity due to mistakes or to uncontrollable factors
b : the amount of deviation from a standard or specification
5 : a deficiency or imperfection in structure or function an error of metabolism
Other Words from error Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about error

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Other Words from error

errorless \ ˈer-​É™r-​lÉ™s How to pronounce errorless (audio) , ˈe-​rÉ™r-​ \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for error

error, mistake, blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true, right, or proper. error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this. procedural errors mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error. dialed the wrong number by mistake blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame. diplomatic blunders slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes. a slip of the tongue lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause. a lapse in judgment

error, mistake, and blunder mean an act or statement that is not right or true or proper. error is used for failure to follow a model correctly. There was an error in the addition. mistake is used when someone misunderstands something or does not intend to do wrong. I took someone else's coat by mistake. blunder is used for a stupid, careless, or thoughtless mistake. The actors made several blunders during the play.

Examples of error in a Sentence

I made an error in my calculations. They uncovered several errors in his report to the committee. The paper contains numerous spelling errors. horrifying cases of hospital error The shortstop was charged with an error.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 State police said that BB&T Bank deposited the dough into the couple’s account on May 31 in a clerical error by a bank teller. — Fox News, "Pennsylvania couple allegedly went on massive spending spree after $120G mistakenly added to bank account," 9 Sep. 2019 The Finn narrowed the gap between his Mercedes and Leclerc's Ferrari to just half a second, but a braking error in the closing stages effectively settled the result. — George Ramsay, CNN, "Charles Leclerc ends Ferrari's wait for a home win at Italian Grand Prix," 8 Sep. 2019 After second baseman Mauricio Dubon committed a two-out error in the fifth, Corey Seager crushed a three-run homer to center, making it 5-0. — John Shea, SFChronicle.com, "Giants fall 5-0 in Bruce Bochy’s Dodger Stadium finale," 8 Sep. 2019 Russell, who doesn’t have the same arm strength as Baez, committed two throwing errors in the first two games of this four-game series against the Brewers. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Javier Baez could miss the rest of the regular season for the Cubs because of a fractured left thumb: ‘It’s hard to lose a guy of his charisma’," 7 Sep. 2019 Pinch-hitter Tyler Austin led off the bottom of the ninth for the Brewers and reached on a throwing error by Cubs shortstop Addison Russell. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 3, Cubs 2: Christian Yelich gives Brewers a victory they had to have with walk-off double," 7 Sep. 2019 Debris on the river, high water, a swift current and human error were behind the vessel's collision with the Second Street bridge connecting Louisville to Southern Indiana, local Coast Guard public affairs officer Dave Schneider said. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "What caused the Ohio River barge crash last Christmas? Coast Guard reveals findings," 6 Sep. 2019 Nance began her long stint as server with the lead at 7-3, following of all things a service error. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Lady Deer beat Lake," 5 Sep. 2019 In 2009, advocates blamed a computer error in a 9-year-old boy’s death. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "Some Coloradans can’t access food and medical benefits due to glitches in new state system," 5 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'error.' 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 error

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for error

Middle English errour, from Anglo-French, from Latin error, from errare

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More Definitions for error

error

noun
How to pronounce error (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of error

: something that is not correct : a wrong action or statement

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