Erroneously

ɪˈroʊniəsli

adverbmediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

In a way that is wrong or inaccurate; making an error.

ɪˈroʊniəsli

adverbneutralmedium
General

In a way that is incorrect or mistaken.

The report was compiled erroneously, leading to confusion.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're doing your taxes and you accidentally put the wrong number on the form. You filled out your taxes erroneously, which is like saying you did it wrong!

👶 For kids: Doing something the wrong way. Like when you color outside the lines.

More Examples

2

The system erroneously recorded the data, causing problems later.

3

He was erroneously identified as the culprit.

How It's Used

Legal

"The defendant was erroneously convicted due to faulty evidence."

Computer Science

"The program erroneously calculated the total."

General

"The report erroneously stated the wrong facts."

From 'erroneous' (containing error), which comes from the Latin 'errōneus' meaning wandering, mistaken, or straying. Ultimately from the verb 'errāre' meaning to wander or to be mistaken.

The word 'erroneously' has been used since the 17th century, and has been applied in legal, scientific, and everyday contexts.

Memory tip

Think of a time you made an error. You acted erroneously.

erroneouslyeroneouslyerroneosly

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written