errand

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈɛrənd/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A short trip undertaken to perform a specific task, usually for oneself or on behalf of another.; The purpose or objective of such a trip.; A message or commission delivered by a messenger.; A foolish or pointless undertaking; a wild-goose chase (often used in the phrase 'fool's errand').

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: errands

Collocations

run an errandrun errandsgo on an erranderrand boyerrand girldo an errand

Synonyms

taskchoremissionjobassignment

Commonly confused

error
EN: 'Error' means a mistake; 'errand' means a short trip to accomplish a task.
errant
EN: 'Errant' means straying from the proper course (e.g., 'errant knight'); 'errand' is a task or short trip.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember 'errand' has a double 'r' and ends in '-and', not '-or' like 'error'.

💬 Examples

  1. I need to run a few errands before the stores close.

  2. What is the errand that brings you to my office?

  3. The boy was sent on an errand to deliver a letter to the neighbor.

  4. Trying to convince him to change his mind was a fool's errand.