# err

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɜː/ · frequency rank #17,359

## Definitions
1. To make a mistake.
2. To sin.
3. to stray.

## Etymology
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”).

## Easily confused with
- **ex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-ex)
- **et** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-et)
- **EU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-eu)
- **ES** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-es)
- **EV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-ev)
- **ew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-ew)
- **ey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-ey)
- **ez** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-ez)
- **eye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-eye)
- **eve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-eve)
- **est** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-est)
- **EVA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-eva)
- **eta** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-eta)
- **ESA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-esa)
- **eth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-eth)
- **evo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-evo)
- **ERS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-ers)
- **ESL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-esl)
- **ETF** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-etf)
- **ETS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/err-vs-ets)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/err