erring

err  (ûr, r)

intr.v. erred, err·ing, errs

1. To make an error or a mistake.

2. To violate accepted moral standards; sin.

3. Archaic To stray.

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[Middle English erren, from Old French errer, from Latin errre, to wander; see ers- in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: The pronunciation (ûr) for the word err is traditional, but the pronunciation (r) has gained ground in recent years, perhaps owing to influence from errant and error, and must now be regarded as an acceptable variant. The Usage Panel was split on the matter: 56 percent preferred (ûr), 34 percent preferred (r), and 10 percent accepted both pronunciations.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

erring - capable of making an error; "all men are error-prone" error-prone fallible - likely to fail or make errors; "everyone is fallible to some degree"

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erring

adjective offending, guilty, transgressive photos of the erring politician back in the bosom of his supportive family