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error

In everyday conversation, "error" is more formal than the word "mistake." You will often see it in official reports or professional settings. When talking about technology or math, "error" is the standard term. For example, we say "system error," not "system mistake." In statistics, the phrase "margin of error" is a common set expression used to describe how accurate a survey or poll might be.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Karen is at a PTA meeting while Eleanor is struggling with her tablet at home.
Eleanor Smith

KAREN WHY DOES MY SCREEN SAY SYSTEM ERROR?? I CANT GET ON FACEBOOK.

Eleanor Smith
Karen Smith
Karen Smith

I'm literally in a meeting. Just reboot it and stop stressing me out.

💡
The dialogue highlights the tension between Karen's impatience and Eleanor's technical illiteracy. Eleanor uses all caps to signify her struggle with technology, while Karen's response 'stressing me out' is a common phrasal verb expressing emotional strain.

Meanings

noun

A mistake; an act, assertion, or belief that is mistaken.

"The accountant discovered a clerical error in the final balance sheet."

noun

The amount by which a measurement or calculation differs from the true value.

"The margin of error for the poll was plus or minus three percent."

noun

A deviation from accuracy or correctness; a fault in a system, especially a computer program.

"The software crashed due to a syntax error in the code."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error