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Erratic Definition – Meaning And Usage In A Sentence

Erratic Definition – Meaning And Usage In A Sentence

You are never too young or old to learn new words and enhance your vocabulary. However, as you get ready to learn new words and familiarize yourself with them, know that there are hundreds of unique words that await you. One such word you can learn is “erratic” and we will start by informing you about the erratic definition and meaning.

Erratic means something that is not consistent or lacks a fixed course. Mention this word when describing a course of action or behavior that is unpredictable, lacks a specific sequence, or happens randomly. Additionally, erratic is a rock transported from its native location to another by a glacier.

Erratic is a word commonly used to describe people with ever-changing temperaments. However, there is more to this word than this. Read this article to find out its other meanings and how you can apply this word in various contexts. We will also have a look at the word’s spelling, pronunciation, history, syllables division, and more basic information.

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What Is The Definition Of Erratic?

The definition of erratic is “unsteady, random, or prone to unexpected changes.” It also means not consistent. The meaning applies when actions, ideas, paths, behaviors, and much more.

Here are some sentence examples:

  • Her behavior is mostly erratic; one day, she is friendly, and the next, she hardly wants to speak to anyone.
  • Samantha drove into an erratic course down the road, prompting a massive collision.
  • James’s erratic mood has grown more volatile in the past few days and has drawn much attention to his family.

Meanings Of Erratic As Seen In Various Fields

In Geology, erratic is a rock fragment transported by ice to a location beside where it originated. This type of rock may vary in size. For instance, an erratic rock can be as small as a pebble or large as a boulder. In a sentence, “Geologists have discovered a way to transport erratic rocks without damaging their native contents.”

Erratic also refers to a behavior that deviates from the customary course or opinion. For example, in a sentence, “Simon’s behavior has become so erratic since he moved back home from the juvenile detention center.”

Also, anything with odd, unpredictable, random, unsteady, undependable, or unconventional characteristics can be erratic. This may be a behavior, person, action, the weather, or anything. In a sentence, “Global warming has caused the weather to become so erratic in the past few years.”

You can also use erratic in different contexts with varying meanings. In summary, here are some instances or situations where you can use the word “erratic.”

  • When prone to unexpected changes
  • Where there is a lack of a logical plan or predictable sequence
  • If you have a temperamental nature
  • When referring to someone curious or eccentric
  • When you want to mean challenging to control due to willful behavior
  • When showing that someone behaves foolishly or stupidly
  • If someone has a sound state of mind
  • When constantly moving from one place to another

Here are some example sentences of erratic in different contexts;

  • The volcano is hard to study because of its erratic activity.
  • The professor has a reputation for using erratic methods in his research but arriving at exemplary conclusions.
  • Samson’s erratic behavior got him expelled from school.
  • Although his ways may be erratic, they always produce expected results.

Questions People Ask About Erratic

Erratic is an exciting word to learn. Therefore, you may have some questions about it, like the following;

Does the word erratic have a past tense? Erratic is typically an adjective or a noun. Therefore, it does not have a past or present tense. Note that the word “erratic” also does not have a verb form.

What is the difference between erratic and temperamental? These two words are often used synonymously. However, they are similar but not 100% the same. Temperamental means “prone to sudden and constant mood changes.” On the other hand, erratic means “prone to irregularities and inconsistencies.” The primary difference between the two words is that temperamental only refers to moods, while erratic can refer to anything, as long as it is unpredictable.

What Is The Meaning Of Erratic?

The word “erratic” means lacking consistency, regularity, or uniformity. When you do not keep doing or delivering results consistently, it can also be something or behavior that has some inconsistency.

Below are some sentence examples:

  • The doctors are worried about Cassy’s condition, especially her erratic heartbeat and uncontrollable temperature.
  • She was so scared that you could hear her erratic breathing before she walked into the room.
  • The erratic Nile channels make it one of the most dangerous rivers to explore.

Synonyms Of Erratic

Here are words with similar meanings as erratic;

  • Unstable
  • Turbulent
  • Variable
  • Inconsistent
  • Unpredictable
  • Wavering
  • Unreliable
  • Undependable

Antonyms Of Erratic

Read the list below to know a few words that are opposite of erratic;

  • Consistent
  • Constant
  • Predictable
  • Stable
  • Steady
  • Unchanging
  • Changeless
  • Dependable

Erratic Rhyming Words

Rhyming is a great way of introducing learners to new vocabulary. The key is to find words that sound the same as the ones you want to learn and create a rhyme, like a song or a poem. These words rhyme with erratic;

  • Ecstatic
  • Emphatic
  • Automatic
  • Pneumatic
  • Static
  • Diplomatic
  • Fanatic
  • Dramatic

How To Use Erratic In A Sentence

Use the word “erratic” in a sentence as a noun or an adjective. In the English language, you must use specific parts of speech in sentence construction to sound correct in the particular context. The trick to learning how to use a new word in sentences is studying its various word forms that fit in various contexts.

Here are some other different word forms of “erratic” you can use in sentences;

  • The plural for erratic is erratics.
  • The adverb for erratic is erratically, meaning doing something or behaving in an erratic or unsteady manner.
  • Erratic is a noun. However, it also features other noun forms, like erratically, erraticness, erraticity, erraticism, erraticisms, and erraticities.
  • Apart from the above word forms, there are also some obsolete forms of “erratic,” which are erratick and erratique.

10 Examples Of Erratic In A Sentence

Learning and mastering a new word is easier with sentence examples. The examples help drill the meanings in your memory and teach you how to apply the words. Below are some ten examples of erratic in a sentence;

  1. After listening to her erratic breathing, he was beyond satisfied with her progress.
  2. Mark was one of the best administrators and lawyers in the firm’s Quebec branch, but his erratic behavior tarnished his reputation.
  3. Many researchers in the United States visit the river Nile for its erratic and constantly shifting channels.
  4. The rainfall in the southern states is more erratic than in the northern and western regions, and it helps plants propagate faster.
  5. Sharon and Seth became friends when they found out they shared a dislike for their mutual friend’s erratic behavior.
  6. The boss’ instructions to develop an editorial process was not an erratic decision, instead, it was well-thought-out.
  7. We decided to cut ties with Luke because his erratic moods kept getting us in trouble with the school and our families.
  8. The police tried to lighten the situation but had to resort to violence because of the rioter’s erratic movements.
  9. She knew her premonition was coming true when she saw his erratic behavior.
  10. He was quite erratic in his methods, but his students were the top performers in the entire institution.
  11. Despite his erratic personality, Kanye West is among the most gifted and respected personalities in the international music scene.
  12. His research focused on the motion of glaciers and the challenges of transporting erratic blocks in their natural state.

How Do You Spell Erratic?

The perfect spelling is “E.R.R.A.T.I.C.”

Spelling is a vital element in the English language, and the key to perfecting your spelling is writing the word often. Experts recommend writing or typing the words often because it triggers muscle memory. The archaic spelling for erratic is erratic, which is currently incorrect and obsolete.

How Do You Pronounce Erratic?

According to the I.P.A, you should pronounce the word “erratic” as “/i-ra-tik/.”

The simple pronunciation for erratic is “ur-a-tuhk” So say it one syllable after another to master the pronunciation.

How Many Syllables Are In Erratic?

The word “erratic” has three syllables. The syllables in “erratic” are; er – rat – ic, and the stressed syllable is “-rat.”

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History & Etymology of Erratic

Erratic stems from Old French “erratique,” meaning “wandering or vagrant.” “Erratic” also has direct roots in Latin “erraticus,” meaning “wandering, straying, or roving.” This term also stems from Latin “erratum,’ meaning “an error, mistake, or fault.” It is the past participle of “errare,’ meaning “to wander or to err.”

When Was Erratic First Used?

The first recorded use of the English translation of the word “erratic” was in 1841.

Some records indicate that the noun form of “erratic” was first used in the 1620s. However, the word was introduced in Old French in the late 14th Century. Before then, only the Latin and Old French versions of “erratic” were applied.

Conclusion

Erratic is an exciting word to study and apply. It means “unstable, turbulent, or a rock moved from its original location to another by ice. Now that you are fully aware of the word’s meanings and definition and have some examples of its usage in sentences, you can confidently use it in your conversations and writings.