Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Containing or derived from error; mistaken.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Wandering; roving; devious; unsettled; irregular.
  • Controlled by error; misled; deviating from the truth.
  • Containing error; false; mistaken; not conformable to truth or justice; liable to mislead: as, an erroneous opinion; erroneous doctrine or instruction.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective obsolete Wandering; straying; deviating from the right course; -- hence, irregular; unnatural.
  • adjective obsolete Misleading; misled; mistaking.
  • adjective Containing error; not conformed to truth or justice; incorrect; false; mistaken

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Containing an error; inaccurate.
  • adjective Derived from an error.
  • adjective Mistaken.
  • adjective law signifies a deviation from the requirements of the law, but does not connote a lack of legal authority, and is thus distinguished from illegal.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective containing or characterized by error

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English, from Latin errōneus, from errō, errōn-, a vagabond, from errāre, to err, wander; see ers- in Indo-European roots.]

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Examples

  • The Ministry of Information accused Nasha Niva of publishing what it called an erroneous report about authorities failing to evacuate one of the victims of Monday's attacks for several hours.

    Belarus subway bombing death toll rises to 13 2011

  • "This is not a commercial activity," Mr. Della Valle insisted at a Rome press conference, rejecting what he called erroneous reports that Tod's would benefit commercially from exclusive use of the Colosseum image for his company's merchandise.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed GUY DINMORE 2012

  • "This is not a commercial activity," Mr. Della Valle insisted at a Rome press conference, rejecting what he called erroneous reports that Tod's would benefit commercially from exclusive use of the Colosseum image for his company's merchandise.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed GUY DINMORE 2012

  • Chavez suggested state television should broadcast a series of programs focusing on the strength of the economy as a way to debunk what he called erroneous predictions from analysts of more economic problems on the horizon.

    China Post Online - Taiwan , News , Taiwan newspaper 2010

  • His broader mission amounted to try to shoot down what he described as erroneous claims that have risen as the debate in Washington and the nation has developed.

    unknown title 2009

  • In tax year 2006, the latest year available, IRS made $10 billion to $12 billion in erroneous EITC payments, according to a study by the Treasury Department's inspector general.

    IRS lacks clout to enforce mandatory health insurance 2010

  • Those small amounts totaled about $50 million in erroneous data charges.

    FCC chair takes on cell phone 'bill shock' and early termination fees Cecilia Kang 2010

  • They're just relying on the consumer to make certain erroneous assumptions -- namely, that no one would be scummy enough to exploit cancer for profit.

    Pandora Young: The Pink Ribbon Marketing Scam Pandora Young 2010

  • Example: MedPAC uses data from cost report forms despite knowing full well that more than 20% of the forms contain erroneous data.

    Wonk Room » How Are Medicare Rates Established? 2009

  • The U.S. government identified $98 billion in erroneous or fraudulent payments made during the 2009 fiscal year, up from $72 billion the previous year, White House budget chief Peter Orszag said yesterday.

    POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: November 18, 2009 2009

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