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error

noun
er·​ror | \ ˈer-ər How to pronounce error (audio) , ˈe-rər\

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-​ər-​ləs How to pronounce errorless (audio) , ˈe-​rər-​ \ 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

 What has become commonplace for Arsenal defenders is an all-too frequent knack of calamitous errors. — SI.com, "Arsenal: Promising Signs at Anfield Don't Outweigh the Same Old Glaring Deficiencies," 25 Aug. 2019 Arizona came out flat, rallied multiple times, was on the brink of taking the lead in the fourth quarter … then made the costliest mistake of the night in a game that had no shortage of unforced errors. — Michael Lev, azcentral, "Arizona football comes up yard short in loss to Hawaii," 24 Aug. 2019 The semifinal the next day was intense and strange, almost too intimate to watch, filled with power, grunts, operatic points and dozens of unforced errors. — Elizabeth Weil, New York Times, "Did Venus Williams Ever Get Her Due?," 22 Aug. 2019 What occurred instead is a litany of unforced errors and misguided decisions, many of them made by Trump political appointees. — Barry Ritholtz, Twin Cities, "Barry Ritholtz: The #TrumpRecession label is going to stick," 20 Aug. 2019 Some say the public is used to Biden making these kinds of errors, but others say these are not small bumps to be ignored. — Melanie Eversley, Fortune, "Will Gaffes Hurt Biden’s Chances of a 2020 Win? Strategists Are Divided," 19 Aug. 2019 His appellate brief features a litany of alleged errors by trial Judge Steven O'Neill, who also presided over his first trial. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Bill Cosby's appeal of his sex-crime conviction goes before judges in crucial hearing," 12 Aug. 2019 But there were plenty of errors because not all the fielders wore gloves. — Fred Bowen, Washington Post, "The rules and the equipment are just two things that have changed over the years.," 7 Aug. 2019 In fact, the production of errors during copying plays an important role in the long-term survival of viruses. — Richard Preston, The New Yorker, "Is Ebola Evolving Into a More Deadly Virus?," 7 Aug. 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
: a mistake made by a person who is playing a sport (such as baseball or tennis)

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