error
Definitions
A mistake; something done wrong because of a misjudgment or inaccuracy.
错误，过失；因判断失误或不准确而做错的事。
A fault in a machine or computer system that stops it working correctly; a malfunction.
（机器或计算机系统的）故障，差错，导致无法正常运行。
The amount by which a measurement or calculation differs from the true value.
误差，（测量或计算与真实值之间的）差量。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivederr (wander, go astray) + -or (state, result) = the state of having wandered off. An error is literally the place where your reasoning or action strayed from what is correct — a wrong step away from the right path.
Root err still carries 7 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.make an error犯错误
- 2.human error人为失误
- 3.margin of error误差范围
- 4.trial and error反复试验
- 5.error message错误提示
- 6.error rate错误率
Example Sentences
- 1.
I made a careless error in the final question and lost ten points.
- 2.
The system kept crashing because of an error in the code.
- 3.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.
- 4.
We learn fastest through trial and error.
Easily Confused
error vs mistake — Both mean 'something done wrong,' but error is more formal and technical (error rate, human error, syntax error), while mistake is the everyday word (a silly mistake, by mistake). You'd say 'a spelling mistake' in conversation but 'a margin of error' in a report. Computers and statistics use error, not mistake.