error
English meaning: Error
Definition
The state, quality, or condition of being wrong.
Example
“A single error in the spreadsheet threw off the whole budget.”
Another example: “The pilot's error of judgement was investigated by the safety board.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral, everyday word used in both formal and informal English for anything done wrong, from typos to scientific miscalculations. In technical and computing contexts it names a specific fault condition (e.g. 'syntax error').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'error' ('a wandering, mistake'), from 'errare' ('to stray'), entering English via Old French in the 13th century.
Synonyms
- fault
- mistake
- erroneousness
- wrongdoing
- misplay
- erroneous belief
Antonyms / Opposites
- accuracy
- correctness
Related Words
- correction
- corrected
- errors
- variance
- approximation
- deviation
- detection
- checking
- judgement
- probability
Common Collocations
- make an error
- human error
- margin of error
- error message
- trial and error
Word Forms
error (n); errors (pl); err (v); erroneous (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B