erred; erring; errs

intransitive verb

1
a
: 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

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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The United States has also erred by expanding its military bases close to China and Taiwan. Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 It is hotly debated in Ukraine whether Mr. Zelensky erred in his messaging by responding to insults from Mr. Trump with a few snipes of his own, rather than diplomatically navigating the U.S. president’s attacks. Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 Now, the lawyer — Nicole C. Pearson — and the libertarian legal support group Liberty Justice Center have filed a brief before the California Court of Appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in siding with Bonta and dismissing the suit. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025 There’s a fine line between accuracy and caricature, but Potter’s clothes err on the right side. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for err

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of err was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Err.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/err. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

err

verb
1
: to make a mistake
erred in my calculations
2
: to do wrong : sin

Legal Definition

err

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

More from Merriam-Webster on err

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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