Erroneous
/ɪˈroʊniəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Erroneous describes something that is incorrect or contains errors. It is often used to talk about facts, statements, or beliefs that are not true or have mistakes. When something is erroneous, it does not match the real or correct information.
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See It in Action
Containing mistakes or errors
- •The report was full of erroneous data that confused the readers.
- •His conclusion was based on erroneous assumptions.
- •The software gave an erroneous result because of a bug.
Incorrect or false
- •It is erroneous to believe that all dogs hate cats.
- •The newspaper published an erroneous story about the event.
- •She corrected the erroneous information in the article.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "erroneous" like "wrong" (A1 word), but used in more formal or serious situations
- ✓Picture a test paper with red marks showing mistakes — the answers are erroneous
- ✓It's the feeling when you realize you made a mistake in an important email or report
- ✓Sounds like “error-neous” → imagine the word “error” inside it, which means mistake
- ✓Think of a GPS giving you wrong directions — the GPS information is erroneous, leading you the wrong way
- ✓NOT like "incorrect" (which is simple and common), "erroneous" sounds more formal and is used in writing or official speech
- ✓NOT like "false" (which means completely untrue), "erroneous" can mean partly wrong or contains errors
- ✓NOT like "mistaken" (which can refer to a person), "erroneous" usually describes things like facts, data, or statements
Try Other Words
- •Incorrect: not right or accurate (Use when you want a simpler word for formal or informal contexts)
- •False: not true or real (Use when something is completely untrue rather than partly wrong)
- •Mistaken: having a wrong idea (Use when referring to a person’s belief or thought, not facts)
- •Inaccurate: not exact or precise (Use when talking about data or measurements that have errors)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "error" (mistake) + suffix "-ous" (full of or having the quality of)
- •Etymology: From Latin "erroneus," meaning "wandering" or "straying," related to "error" meaning mistake
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe something that strays from the truth or correct path, later used for mistakes in ideas or facts
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in formal writing, science, law, and education to describe incorrect information or errors
- •Key insight: The word focuses on the quality of having mistakes or being wrong, often in a formal or serious context
Reflect & Connect
•How does using a formal word like "erroneous" change the way you feel about the seriousness of a mistake?
•Can something be partially erroneous, or does it have to be completely wrong? How do you decide?
Fill in the blanks
1.The scientist found that the data was erroneous because it was collected ___ during the experiment.
2.When the report contained erroneous information, the manager asked for a ___ review.
3.Saying that the Earth is flat is an erroneous ___ that many people now reject.
4.The software gave an erroneous result, which caused the team to ___ their calculations.
5.The article was corrected after the editor noticed the erroneous ___ in the facts.
6.Unlike a simple mistake, an erroneous statement can affect the whole ___ of an argument.
7.The lawyer argued that the witness’s testimony was erroneous and should not be ___ in court.