Erratic
/ɪˈrætɪk/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Erratic describes things that do not follow a regular pattern or plan. It can be used for movements, behavior, or events that are unpredictable and change often without warning. For example, erratic driving means driving in an unsafe and unpredictable way.
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See It in Action
Describing movement or behavior that is irregular or unpredictable
- •The car's erratic movements made the passengers feel unsafe.
- •Her erratic behavior at work worried her colleagues.
- •The weather has been erratic this week, with sudden rain and sunshine.
Describing something that is inconsistent or not reliable
- •The student’s erratic attendance caused problems for the teacher.
- •Erratic internet connection made it hard to finish the online meeting.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "erratic" like "not steady" or "not regular," but stronger—it means very unpredictable and changing a lot
- ✓Picture a small boat on rough water moving suddenly in different directions without control
- ✓It's the feeling when a person's mood jumps quickly from happy to sad without reason
- ✓Sounds like "air-RAT-ick" → imagine a rat running quickly and suddenly changing direction many times
- ✓Think of a wild animal that moves quickly and unpredictably, unlike a calm pet walking slowly
- ✓NOT like "steady" (which means smooth and regular), erratic is the opposite—jumpy and uneven
- ✓NOT like "slow" (which means moving at a low speed), erratic means moving in a way that is not smooth or clear
- ✓NOT like "predictable" (easy to guess), erratic is hard to guess or expect
Try Other Words
- •Unpredictable: not able to be guessed before it happens (Use when you want to focus on the surprise or unknown result)
- •Inconsistent: not always the same or reliable (Use when talking about things that do not happen the same way every time)
- •Unstable: not steady or fixed, likely to change suddenly (Use when something might change quickly and is not safe or firm)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "err-" (from Latin "errare" meaning to wander or make a mistake) + suffix "-atic" (forms adjectives)
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin "erraticus," meaning wandering or straying from the right path
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe wandering or moving without a fixed course; later used for unpredictable behavior or movement
- •Modern usage: Commonly describes unpredictable actions, behavior, or conditions that do not follow a clear pattern
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when your own behavior was erratic? What caused it?
•How does erratic behavior affect people’s trust or feelings about someone or something?
Fill in the blanks
1.The driver’s erratic behavior ___ the other cars on the road to slow down and stay away.
2.When the weather is erratic, you ___ need to carry both an umbrella and sunglasses.
3.Unlike steady progress, erratic changes make it hard to ___ the next step.
4.She tends to act erratic when she is ___ or stressed.
5.Erratic movements in the stock market can ___ investors to feel nervous.
6.The machine stopped working because of an erratic ___ in the power supply.
7.Erratic behavior is different from careful planning because it shows a lack of ___ or control.