erroneous

adjective

er·​ro·​ne·​ous i-ˈrō-nē-əs 

e-

1

: containing or characterized by error : mistaken

erroneous assumptions

gave an erroneous impression

2

archaic : wandering

erroneously adverb

erroneousness noun

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How to Define Erroneous

Erroneous basically means "containing errors", and, since most of us are constantly suffering from mistaken notions, the word is often used in front of words such as "assumption" and "idea". It's also used to describe the kind of mistaken information that can lead to erroneous theories, erroneous conclusions, and erroneous decisions.

Synonyms

• false
• inaccurate
• incorrect
• inexact
• invalid
• off
• unsound
• untrue
• untruthful
• wrong

Examples of erroneous in a Sentence

When you're done, the programs scour your return for potential problems and erroneous data and let you correct them. Then, poof! Either print out your 1040 and related documents or follow the software prompts to file electronically. —Kathy Yakal, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 1999

Here we come face-to-face with the uncompromising rules of golf as Mr. Dobereiner recounts how Roberto de Vincenzo lost the 1968 Masters Tournament by a single stroke because he signed an erroneous scorecard. —Robert R. Harris, New York Times Book Review, 21 Oct. 1984

To say truth, nothing is more erroneous than the common observation, that men who are ill-natured and quarrelsome when they are drunk, are very worthy persons when they are sober: for drink, in reality, doth not reverse nature, or create passions in men which did not exist in them before. —Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, 1749

a poorly researched news article about the new virus that was filled with much erroneous information

Recent Examples on the Web

Between the lines: Republicans have argued vigorously that the apostrophe placed in the transcript is erroneous and that Biden was actually criticizing individual Trump voters. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024

The billionaire responded to reports that he would not be invited to the U.K.’s investment summit with false claims about the release of prisoners in the country, following a trend of erroneous and inflammatory comments directed at the U.K. in recent months. —Chloe Berger, Fortune Europe, 26 Sep. 2024

But that’s not always true: A new study shows patients can often reap financial benefits by disputing charges that seem erroneous or by negotiating for financial relief. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2024

But that nickname has a negative connotation that is clearly erroneous, given the enormous overnight popularity of this cycling niche. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin erroneus, from erron-, erro wanderer, from errare — see err

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing erroneous

• in the mistaken/erroneous belief that

Kids Definition

erroneous

adjective

er·​ro·​ne·​ous ir-ˈō-nē-əs 

e-ˈrō-

: being wrong or inaccurate

especially : being or containing an error

an erroneous report

erroneously adverb

erroneousness noun

Legal Definition

erroneous

adjective

er·​ro·​ne·​ous i-ˈrō-nē-əs, e- 

: containing or characterized by error see also clearly erroneous

erroneously adverb

erroneousness noun