Erratic
Heart monitors, freelance income, and your cousin's sleep schedule all look like this on a graph.
Learn This WordMeaning
Not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable and inconsistent.
Memory trick
Think “ERR” = to make mistakes or go off course. Erratic things “err” from a steady path.
Examples
His erratic schedule made it hard to plan meetings.
The car started making erratic noises on the highway.
They saw erratic performance after the rushed release.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin erraticus "wandering," from errare "to wander, stray."
Usage Notes
Useful for describing behavior, performance, patterns, or movement that lacks stability.
Real-life contexts
Use for schedules: "My sleep has been erratic lately."
Use for results: "The service has been erratic this week."
Use for behavior: "His erratic decisions worried the team."
Common Mistakes
Erratic implies unpredictability; “random” can be more neutral. Erratic often suggests an underlying problem.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
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