error

noun

er·ror ˈer-ər

ˈe-rər

Synonyms of error next

: an act or condition of ignorant or imprudent deviation from a code of behavior

: an act involving an unintentional deviation from truth or accuracy

made an error in adding up the bill

: an act that through ignorance, deficiency, or accident departs from or fails to achieve what should be done

an error in judgment

: such as

(1)

: a defensive misplay other than a wild pitch or passed ball made by a baseball player when normal play would have resulted in an out or prevented an advance by a base runner

(2)

: the failure of a player (as in tennis) to make a successful return of a ball during play

: a mistake in the proceedings of a court of record in matters of law or of fact

: the quality or state of erring

the map is in error

Christian Science : illusion about the nature of reality that is the cause of human suffering : the contradiction of truth

: an instance of false belief

: something produced by mistake

a typographical error

especially : a postage stamp exhibiting a consistent flaw (such as a wrong color) in its manufacture

: the difference between an observed or calculated value and a true value

specifically : variation in measurements, calculations, or observations of a quantity due to mistakes or to uncontrollable factors

: the amount of deviation from a standard or specification

: a deficiency or imperfection in structure or function

an error of metabolism

errorless

ˈer-ər-ləs

ˈe-rər-

adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for error

error, mistake, blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true, right, or proper.

error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

Examples of error in a Sentence

I made an error in my calculations. They uncovered several errors in his report to the committee. The paper contains numerous spelling errors. horrifying cases of hospital error The shortstop was charged with an error.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

While not massively common, losing your kit due to a loading error is very frustrating in a game like Tarkov, so any improvements to reduce the chances of that happening are always going to be a positive. —

Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 The results were delayed further because of a tabulation error, though both parties were consulted on the decision to recount nearly 30,000 ballots. —

Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024 The fact that such an error feels inconsequential amid all the special teams follies the Niners have committed this season speaks volumes. —

Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024 Experts have highlighted the potential harms of errors in AI systems, from spreading misinformation and propaganda to rewriting history. —

Alex Clark, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for error

Word History

Etymology

Middle English errour, from Anglo-French, from Latin error, from errare

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of error was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

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Or at least 'famous'

Cite this Entry

Style

“Error.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/error. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

error

noun

er·ror ˈer-ər

: departure from a code of behavior

the error of their ways

: an unintentional departure from truth, accuracy, or a goal

made an error in my adding

: a misplay made by a fielder in baseball

: the quality or state of erring

: a false belief or a set of false beliefs

: something produced by mistake

: the difference between an observed or calculated value and a true value

especially : variation in measurements, calculations, or observations of a quantity as a result of mistakes or uncontrollable conditions

: the amount of error

errorless

-ləs

adjective

Medical Definition

error

noun

er·ror ˈer-ər

: a deficiency or imperfection in structure or function

inborn errors of metabolism

Legal Definition

error

noun

er·ror

: an act that through ignorance, deficiency, or accident departs from or fails to achieve what should be done

procedural errors

especially : a mistake made by a lower court in conducting judicial proceedings or making findings in a case

to compel to conclusion that a manifest error has been done —

Moses v. Burgin, 445 F.2d 369 (1971)

—often used without an article

had been error to give the jury special interrogatories —

K. A. Cohen

; see also assignment of error, clearly erroneous

Note: Generally a party must object to an error at trial in order to raise it as an issue on appeal.

— clear error

: an error made by a judge in his or her findings of fact which is such that it leaves the reviewing court with the firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been made

Note: A clear error may or may not warrant reversal.

— fundamental error

: plain error in this entry —used especially in criminal cases

— harmless error

: an error that does not affect a substantial right or change the outcome of a trial and does not warrant reversal or other modification of the lower court's decision on appeal

— invited error

: an error resulting from a party's own request for or encouragement of an action by the court

Note: A party may not seek relief based on invited error that he or she has induced.

— manifest error

: an error that is obvious and indisputable and that warrants reversal on appeal

— plain error

: an obvious and prejudicial error that affects the substantial rights of the parties and that results or probably results in a miscarriage of justice

Note: Plain error warrants reversal on appeal even in the absence of objection to the error at trial.

— prejudicial error

: an error that affects or presumptively affects the outcome of a trial

— reversible error

: a substantial and prejudicial error warranting reversal on appeal

Last Updated: 24 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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error

noun

Synonyms

Examples of error in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near error

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition