error
36 synonyms and 0 antonyms for error, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A mistake, especially one made unintentionally.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use error
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French error, from Latin error, "a wandering about, a mistake," from errāre, "to wander or stray."
Full origin of error →Frequently asked questions
What does “error” mean?
The word “error” means a mistake, especially one made unintentionally. In plain terms, a mistake — something that was done, said, or calculated incorrectly.
How do you pronounce “error”?
“Error” is pronounced EH-ruh (/ˈɛɹəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “error” in a sentence?
Here is “error” used in a sentence: “The invoice had an error in the total amount.”
What is another word for “error”?
Words with a similar meaning to “error” include aberration, bloomer, blooper, blunder, boner and boo-boo.
What part of speech is “error”?
“Error” is a noun.
Where does the word “error” come from?
The word “error” comes from Latin. From Old French error, from Latin error, "a wandering about, a mistake," from errāre, "to wander or stray.".
Is “error” a common word?
“Error” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “error” have?
“Error” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mistake, especially one made unintentionally.
What is the difference between an error and a mistake?
The two words overlap, but there is a subtle distinction. A mistake is the everyday term for getting something wrong, often through a lapse in judgement. An error is slightly more formal and technical, common in science, computing, and measurement, where it means any deviation from the correct or expected result.
What are the main types of error?
Errors are often grouped by cause. Human error results from a person's slip or oversight, while systematic errors come from a consistent flaw in a method or instrument. Random errors are unpredictable variations, and typographical errors are simple slips in writing or typing. Each type calls for a different way of catching and correcting it.
What is an example of an error?
A misspelled word in a document, a wrong figure in a spreadsheet, or a miscalculation in a sum are all common errors. In computing, an error message appears when a program cannot complete a task. What unites them is that the outcome differs from what was intended or correct.