error

noun er·ror \ˈer-ər, ˈe-rər\

: something that is not correct : a wrong action or statement

: a mistake made by a person who is playing a sport (such as baseball or tennis)

Full Definition of ERROR

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

b : an act involving an unintentional deviation from truth or accuracy <made an error in adding up the bill>

c : an act that through ignorance, deficiency, or accident departs from or fails to achieve what should be done <an error in judgment>: 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

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

a : the quality or state of erring <the map is in error>

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

c : an instance of false belief

: something produced by mistake <a typographical error>; especially : a postage stamp exhibiting a consistent flaw (as a wrong color) in its manufacture

a : 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

b : the amount of deviation from a standard or specification

: a deficiency or imperfection in structure or function <an error of metabolism>

— er·ror·less \-ləs\ adjective

See error defined for English-language learners

See error defined for kids

Origin of ERROR

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to ERROR

Synonyms: blunder, bobble, boob [British], boo-boo, brick, clanger [British], clinker, fault, flub, fluff, fumble, gaff, gaffe, goof, inaccuracy, lapse, miscue, misstep, mistake, oversight, screwup, slip, slipup, stumble, trip

Antonyms: noncrime

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

Rhymes with ERROR

airer, bearer, carer, sharer, starer, swearer, terror, wearer

ERRORLESS Defined for Kids

error

noun er·ror \ˈer-ər\

Definition of ERROR for Kids

: a failure to be correct or accurate : mistake <He made an error in spelling.>

Synonym Discussion of ERROR

error, mistake, and blunder mean an act or statement that is not right or true or proper. error is used for failure to follow a model correctly. <There was an error in the addition.> mistake is used when someone misunderstands something or does not intend to do wrong. <I took someone else's coat by mistake.> blunder is used for a stupid, careless, or thoughtless mistake. <The actors made several blunders during the play.>

Medical Dictionary