verb
Uncommon
err
ur
Err (verb) means to make a mistake; to be wrong. Example: “To err is human, to forgive divine.”
verb
1
To make a mistake; to be wrong.
"He erred in his calculations, and made many mistakes."
"To err is human, to forgive divine."
"The referee erred in awarding the penalty."
How to use err
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make a mistake or go wrong.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the hesitation sound "er" or "erm" — "err" is a real verb meaning "to be mistaken," pronounced like "er" or, in some dialects, like "ur."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
err on the side of caution
to err is human
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like err.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- errs
- Past tense
- erred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
To _____ is human, to forgive divine.
Etymology
From Old French errer, from Latin errāre, "to wander, stray, be mistaken."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for err
See all rhymes for err →Frequently asked questions
What does “err” mean?
The word “err” means to make a mistake; to be wrong. In plain terms, to make a mistake or go wrong.
How do you pronounce “err”?
“Err” is pronounced ur (/ɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “err” in a sentence?
Here is “err” used in a sentence: “To err is human, to forgive divine.”
What part of speech is “err”?
“Err” is a verb.
Where does the word “err” come from?
The word “err” comes from Latin. From Old French errer, from Latin errāre, "to wander, stray, be mistaken.".
Is “err” a common word?
“Err” is an uncommon word in modern English.
