error - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
error Word Meanings
- a mistake or incorrect action
- an error in judgment
- a deviation from accuracy
error Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
error Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɛrə/
US
/ˈɛrər/
error Word Etymology
Error = err- (to wander, stray) + -or (a suffix forming nouns) → Latin 'error' → Old French 'erruer' → English. Picture a wandering traveler lost in a maze, representing the confusion of making a mistake.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I start by lining up the page and my hand moves toward the margin. I pull the pencil back and shift the angle, pushing a bit where it’s needed. I feel the effort as I adjust and decide to start again at a slightly different spot. That off-mark line becomes an error, a small nudge that reminds me how to move more carefully next time.
Real Context
An error is a noun for a deviation from what is correct or expected. It often means a mistaken action, judgment, or calculation. In daily life you can commit an error by misreading a sign, misplacing an object, or choosing the wrong route. In more formal settings, an error may be a fault in reasoning, a flaw in data, or a mistake in an experiment. In technology, an error can be a fault in software or hardware that prevents normal operation. People use phrases like clerical error or human error to describe common, recognizable kinds of mistakes. Understanding this helps avoid overreacting to minor slips.
Usage Reminders
- Read error in context, distinguish between minor slips and serious faults. Use phrases like error in judgment, human error, or clerical error as needed. When correcting, state the change clearly. Do not use error to blame a person for a single mistake. In technical writing, quantify errors when possible. Practice noting why an error occurred to prevent repetition.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing error with fault as a moral judgment
- Thinking an error means you are incompetent
- Mistaking error for a single, fixed flaw
- Assuming errors only happen on big, dramatic tasks
- Believing error and mistake are always interchangeable in all contexts
Thinking Differences
English speakers often separate error into everyday slips and formal defects; focus on context to decide if it is a minor slip or a substantive fault.
Learning Tips
- Read widely to see how error phrases are used in different contexts
- Keep a small notebook of common collocations like error in judgment and human error
- Practice identifying the source of errors in short writing tasks
- Create example sentences that show progression from minor to major errors
- When listening, note how native speakers react to errors
- Review after making errors to avoid repeating them
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'error'?
A.Efficient
B.Success
C.Accurate
D.Mistake
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'error' used in a sentence?
A.He made an error in his calculations
B.She achieved error in her project
C.The error of the team led to victory
D.They all error together
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'error'?
A.Right
B.Mistake
C.Accurate
D.Correction
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'error'?
A.Success
B.Accuracy
C.Correctness
D.Perfection
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give a real-life context where 'error' would be used?
A.A doctor diagnosed a patient without error
B.A teacher gave an error in the test
C.A chef cooked with error in the recipe
D.A student made an error in their homework
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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