err
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to go astray in thought or belief; be mistaken; be incorrect.
-
to go astray morally; sin.
To err is human.
- Synonyms:
- lapse, transgress
-
Archaic. to deviate from the true course, aim, or purpose.
idioms
-
err on the side of caution. err on the side of caution.
verb
-
to make a mistake; be incorrect
-
to stray from the right course or accepted standards; sin
-
to act with bias, esp favourable bias
to err on the side of justice
Other Word Forms
- errability noun
- errable adjective
Etymology
Origin of err
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English erren, from Old French errer, from Latin errāre “to make a mistake; wander”; akin to Gothic airzjan, Old High German irrôn ( German irren )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Early childhood advocates in California tend to err on the side of limiting testing as well, Fuller said.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026
“The guidelines err in promoting meat and dairy products, which are principal drivers of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity,” Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, said in a statement.
From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026
“Because the IRS asks for enough information to be sent to ‘adequately disclose’ the gift, we usually advise our clients to err on the side of too much information.”
From MarketWatch • Dec. 7, 2025
Now there is a trend to err on the side of caution.
From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025
Many people living outside the evacuation zone in Fukushima decided to err on the side of caution, too.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.