errant
/'erənt/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Straying from the proper course or accepted standards: Describes something or someone that deviates from what is right, correct, or expected.
- Moving about aimlessly or irregularly: Describes motion that is uncontrolled, wandering, or unpredictable.
Usage
- The primary use of "errant" is as an adjective to describe a person, thing, or action that is wrong, mistaken, or wandering.
- It often carries a formal or literary tone.
Examples
- Describing a person's behavior:
- The teacher sought to guide the errant student back to the right path.
- Describing unpredictable motion:
- An errant golf ball flew over the fence and into the neighbor's yard.
- Describing something that has gone astray:
- She searched the room for the errant document.
Advanced Usage
- "Knight-errant": A historical/literary term for a medieval knight who wandered in search of adventure to show chivalry and heroism.
- The tales often feature a noble knight-errant on a quest.
Variants and Related Words
- Errancy (noun): The state or an instance of erring; error.
- The errancy of the data was due to a calculation mistake.
- Erring (adjective): Having done wrong; mistaken.
- He was an erring soul seeking forgiveness.
Synonyms
- Straying: Wandering from the correct path.
- Wayward: Difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior.
- Aberrant: Departing from an accepted standard.
Antonyms
- Correct: Free from error; in accordance with fact or truth.
- Obedient: Complying or willing to comply with orders or requests.
Related Idioms
- "Errant nonsense": Used to emphasize that an idea or statement is completely wrong or foolish.
- That theory is nothing but errant nonsense.
Adjective
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uncontrolled motion that is irregular or unpredictable
-
an errant breeze
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straying from the right course or from accepted standards
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errant youngsters
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