verb
err
ur
verb
1
To make a mistake; to be wrong.
"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
Word Forms
erred past tense, errs singular
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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."