error

error — noun

1. Something that is done wrong or produced incorrectly, such as a wrong number in

1.nounA2
Definition

Something that is done wrong or produced incorrectly, such as a wrong number in a calculation, a word that is misspelled, or a mistake in a process.

Example

Tanvi found an error in her bank statement and called the customer service line.

error in + [document/statement]

The software update caused an error that deleted several user accounts.

Common collocations
  • make an error
  • contain an error
  • human error
  • error message
  • spelling error
  • error in + [document/calculation]
  • error rate
Synonyms
  • mistake

    less formal; the everyday word for something done wrong (A1 level)

  • blunder

    a careless or embarrassing mistake, often with serious results

  • slip

    a small, accidental mistake that does not cause serious harm

Antonyms
  • correction

    the act of making something right after it was wrong

Grammar Patterns

error + in + [document / calculation / system]

make + error

contain + error

Usage Note

More formal than mistake. Common in computing, accounting, and formal writing. Use make an error or commit an error rather than do an error.

Common Mistakes

I did an error in my homework.
I made an error in my homework.
The verb used with error is make, not do.
There is an error in the screen.
There is an error on the screen.
Use in for documents and calculations; use on for screens and displays.

2. A belief, opinion, or decision that is wrong because it is based on incorrect in

2.nounB2
Definition

A belief, opinion, or decision that is wrong because it is based on incorrect information or faulty thinking — for example, choosing the wrong candidate for a job because you misread their qualifications.

Example

Jisoo assumed the report was due Monday and missed the Friday deadline — an embarrassing error.

error to + infinitive

Noa later admitted that her judgment about the candidate was based on a fundamental error.

error in judgment / reasoning

Common collocations
  • error of judgment
  • error in reasoning
  • fundamental error
  • costly error
  • serious error
  • commit an error
Synonyms
  • misconception

    a belief that is not based on facts; less common in everyday speech

  • fallacy

    a false idea that many people believe; used in academic or argumentative contexts

Grammar Patterns

error in + [judgment / reasoning / approach]

error + to-infinitive

error of + [judgment]

Usage Note

Frequently used in fixed patterns: an error of judgment, an error in reasoning. Subject is often a person's decision, assumption, or belief. Distinguish from sense 1 (MISTAKE): sense 2 focuses on wrong beliefs or judgments, not on factual mistakes in documents or processes.

Common Mistakes

It was an error that I took the wrong train.
It was a mistake that I took the wrong train.
Taking the wrong train is a simple factual mistake; use error for wrong judgments or beliefs, not for accidental actions.
Idioms

see / realize / admit the error of your ways

idiom

To understand that you were wrong in the way you behaved or thought in the past, and to change your behaviour as a result.

After talking to the people he had hurt, the young man saw the error of his ways and apologized publicly.

The CEO finally saw the error of his ways and changed the company's environmental policy.

see, realize, etc. the error of your ways

idiom

To understand or admit that you were wrong and choose to act differently.

After losing his job, Tom finally saw the error of his ways.

Did Maya realize the error of her ways before she apologized?

trial and error

idiom

A way of solving problems by trying different methods until one works.

Sara learned to bake bread through trial and error.

By trial and error, Diego found the best route to school.

Word family

  • err
    verbB2
  • erroneous
    adjectiveB2
  • erroneously
    adverbB2
  • error-free
    adjectiveB2
  • errant
    adjectiveC1
  • erratic
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Error and mistake both mean something done wrong, but error is more formal and often implies a departure from a standard or rule (a calculation error, a software error), while mistake is the everyday word used in any situation (I made a mistake in the address). Fault adds the idea of responsibility or blame — it is someone's fault that something went wrong. Blunder is a careless or embarrassing mistake with noticeable consequences, such as a diplomat's public blunder during a speech. Slip is a small, accidental mistake that causes little harm, like a slip of the tongue. In most everyday speech, mistake is the safest choice. Use error in technical, academic, or professional writing.

error ↗mistake ↗fault ↗blunder ↗slip ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Error entered English from Old French 'error', which came from Latin 'error' meaning 'a wandering, straying, or going astray'. The Latin verb 'errare' meant 'to wander' or 'to go off course', and over time it took on the sense of 'to be mistaken' — the idea being that a wrong belief or action is like losing your way. The modern meaning of 'error' as a mistake or incorrect result emerged in the 1300s.