errant

adjective er·rant \ˈer-ənt, ˈe-rənt\

: behaving wrongly

: going outside the proper area

sports : not going in the intended direction : not accurate

Full Definition of ERRANT

: traveling or given to traveling <an errant knight>

a : straying outside the proper path or bounds <an errant calf>

b : moving about aimlessly or irregularly <an errant breeze>

c : behaving wrongly <an errant child>

d : fallible

— errant noun

— er·rant·ly adverb

See errant defined for English-language learners

See errant defined for kids

Origin of ERRANT

Middle English erraunt, from Anglo-French errant, present participle of errer to err & errer to travel, from Late Latin iterare, from Latin iter road, journey — more at itinerant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ERRANT

Synonyms: bad, contrary, naughty, froward, misbehaving, mischievous

Antonyms: behaved, behaving, nice, orderly

Rhymes with ERRANT

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ERRANT Defined for Kids

errant

adjective er·rant \ˈer-ənt\

Definition of ERRANT for Kids

: wandering in search of adventure <an errant knight>

: straying from a proper course <an errant golf ball>

Learn More About ERRANT

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "errant"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "errant"

Nglish: Translation of "errant" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "errant" for Arabic speakers

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