Err Meaning
/ɜː/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo make a mistake.
verbTo sin.
Sentence Examples
To err is human, to forgive divine.
We are liable to err.
After all, even the gods may err at times.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Even the best pilots sometimes ____ during difficult landings.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is human to ____, but the goal is to learn from those mistakes and improve.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English erren, from Old French errer (“to wander, err, mistake”), from Latin errō (“wander, stray, err, mistake”, verb), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ers- (“to be angry, lose one's temper”). Cognate with Old English eorre, ierre (“anger, wrath, ire”), Old English iersian (“to be angry with, rage, irritate, provoke”), Old English ierre (“wandering, gone astray, confused”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Artificial tests, then, can hardly err on the side of supplying too many opportunities for one bird to see another perform the act which is the model."
— 1910, James P. Porter, chapter 2, in Intelligence and Imitation in Birds; A Criterion of Imitation, page 7:
"Gorbachev’s phrase, “fear to err,” is strikingly reminiscent of President Roosevelt’s phrase, “nothing to fear but fear itself.”"
— 1989, L[eften] S[tavros] Stavrianos, Lifelines from Our Past: A New World History, New York: Pantheon Books, →ISBN, page 211:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Even the best pilots sometimes ____ during difficult landings.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is human to ____, but the goal is to learn from those mistakes and improve.