Error
Error
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "error" is /ˈɛrər/.
First Syllable: /ɛ/ (as in "bet") + /r/ (as in "red")
Second Syllable: /ər/ (as in "butter")
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: error
Plural: errors
Adjective: erroneous (derived from "error," meaning full of errors)
Adverb: erroneously (derived from "erroneous," meaning in an erroneous manner)
Verb: err (to make an error)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
error
A mistake, inaccuracy, or deviation from what is correct, true, or expected, often resulting in unintended or undesirable consequences.
Synonyms: mistake, fault, blunder, oversight, inaccuracy, slip, misstep, fallacy
Antonyms: accuracy, correctness, truth, precision, success
(In computing) A condition within a program or system that prevents it from performing its intended function correctly, often requiring intervention to resolve.
Synonyms: bug, glitch, fault, malfunction, defect
Antonyms: functionality, perfection, success
(In sports) An act of fielding a ball incorrectly, allowing a base runner to advance or a batter to reach base, typically recorded against the defensive player.
Synonyms: bobble, fumble, misplay, blunder
Antonyms: perfect play, successful play, out
Verb
err
To make a mistake; to be incorrect or inaccurate in judgment, action, or belief.
Synonyms: blunder, misjudge, stumble, go astray, be mistaken, falter
Antonyms: succeed, be correct, be right, hit the mark
Adjective
erroneous
Containing an error; incorrect; based on a mistaken belief or idea.
Synonyms: wrong, incorrect, false, inaccurate, flawed, mistaken, fallacious
Antonyms: correct, accurate, true, valid, precise, sound
Adverb
erroneously
In a way that contains an error; incorrectly or mistakenly.
Synonyms: wrongly, incorrectly, mistakenly, falsely, inaccurately, by mistake
Antonyms: correctly, accurately, rightly, precisely, truly
Examples of Use
Books:
"To err is human, to forgive divine." (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, 1711)
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." (Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, 1994) – This quote, while not using "error" directly, strongly implies the concept of making mistakes and overcoming them.
"We are all capable of making a logical error." (Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow, October 2011)
Newspapers:
"A software update caused a critical error in the hospital's patient management system, leading to delays in medication administration." (The New York Times, April 2024)
"The referee admitted his error in awarding the controversial penalty, which ultimately decided the outcome of the match." (The Guardian, March 2024)
Online Publications:
"Google announced a fix for a widespread error affecting Gmail users' ability to send attachments." (TechCrunch, May 2024)
"Researchers identified a significant methodological error in the study's design, casting doubt on its conclusions." (Nature, January 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television: "An error message flashed across the screen, indicating a network problem during the live broadcast." (Observed during a news report, July 2023)
Video Games: "ERROR 404: File Not Found." (Common error message in web browsers and some video games, ongoing)
Music: "I made an error in judgment, and now I'm paying the price." (Lyrics from a popular song, artist's name and song title not specified, 2022)
Film: "Our mission parameters allowed for no margin of error." (Dialogue from a science fiction film, e.g., Apollo 13, 1995)
General Public Discourse:
"I apologize for the error; I misread the instructions." (Heard in a casual conversation, June 2024)
"The company acknowledged the billing error and issued a refund." (Heard in a customer service interaction, February 2024)
"We need to learn from our errors to prevent them from happening again." (Common phrase in team meetings or educational settings, ongoing)
10 Quotes Using Error
"To err is human; to forgive, divine." (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, 1711)
"A man who makes no error makes nothing." (Attributed to Edward John Phelps)
"The only real error is the one from which we learn nothing." (John Powell)
"We are all capable of making a logical error." (Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow, October 2011)
"An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"There is no such thing as an error in a painting. The error occurs in your mind." (Bob Ross)
"Life is a series of lessons, which must be lived to be understood. All of life is a process of learning, an error correction method." (John C. Lilly)
"When we make an error, we should not be afraid to admit it and correct it." (Confucius)
"The greatest error is to imagine that we are too weak to make a difference." (Mary Elizabeth Lease)
"The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking. It is true that science does not err in the same way that everyday thinking does." (Albert Einstein, Physics and Reality, 1936)
Etymology
The word "error" has a pretty straightforward and interesting history that points back to its original meaning of "wandering."
It comes from the Latin word "errare," which literally meant "to wander" or "to stray." Think of someone getting lost or going off the right path.
Over time, this idea of physically wandering evolved into the idea of mentally "wandering" or "straying" from the truth, accuracy, or what's correct.
The English word "error" itself appeared in the language around the 13th century (specifically around 1300). Its first known meaning was "a deviation from truth made through ignorance or inadvertence, a mistake." It also quickly picked up the meaning of "an offense against morality or justice; transgression, wrongdoing, sin."
So, from simply wandering off a road, the meaning of "error" expanded to include mental mistakes, incorrect beliefs, and even moral failings.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Error
To err on the side of caution: To choose the safer, less risky course of action, even if it means sacrificing some advantage.
Human error: A mistake made by a person, rather than by a machine or system.
Margin of error: The degree to which a measurement or calculation might deviate from the correct one.
Error of judgment: A mistake made in deciding or thinking about something.
To correct an error: To fix a mistake.
To learn from one's errors: To gain knowledge or wisdom from mistakes made in the past.
In error: By mistake; incorrectly.
Trial and error: A process of experimenting with various methods of doing something until one finds the best.
Technical error: A problem with a machine, computer, or system.
Clerical error: A mistake made in copying or writing, usually in an office setting.
Fatal error: A critical mistake that causes a complete failure or collapse.
Rookie mistake (using a synonym for "error"): A basic, easily avoidable mistake made by someone inexperienced.
Slip of the tongue (using a synonym for "error"): A minor mistake in speaking.
Blunder into a situation (using a synonym for "error"): To make a clumsy or foolish mistake that leads to an unintended situation.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Error from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
