errant
Errant (adjective) means straying from what is normal, expected, or proper; behaving badly. Example: “The teacher had a quiet word with her errant students.”
How to use errant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something or someone that has wandered off course, whether literally (a stray ball) or in behaviour (a misbehaving person).
Word forms
errants plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher had a quiet word with her _____ students.
Etymology
From Old French errant, "wandering, traveling," ultimately tied to both Latin iter ("journey") and errare ("to wander, err") — a doublet of the word "arrant."
Rhymes for errant
See all rhymes for errant →Frequently asked questions
What does “errant” mean?
The word “errant” means straying from what is normal, expected, or proper; behaving badly. In plain terms, describes something or someone that has wandered off course, whether literally (a stray ball) or in behaviour (a misbehaving person).
How do you pronounce “errant”?
“Errant” is pronounced EHRNT (/ˈɛɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “errant” in a sentence?
Here is “errant” used in a sentence: “The teacher had a quiet word with her errant students.”
What part of speech is “errant”?
Depending on how it is used, “errant” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “errant” come from?
The word “errant” comes from Latin. From Old French errant, "wandering, traveling," ultimately tied to both Latin iter ("journey") and errare ("to wander, err") — a doublet of the word "arrant.".
How many meanings does “errant” have?
“Errant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: straying from what is normal, expected, or proper; behaving badly.