Word
erratic
Phoneticser·rat·ic, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪˈɹætɪk/
UK/ɛɹˈætɪk/
Definition
adj. moving or behaving in a way that is not regular or certain. You use this to describe something that changes suddenly and is hard to predict.
adj. characterised by lack of consistency, regularity, or uniformity. Often describes movement, behaviour, or data patterns that deviate from expected paths.
Examples
“The car's erratic movements made the other drivers nervous.”
“The stock market has shown erratic behavior lately, with prices jumping up and down for no clear reason.”
“Despite the athlete's undeniable talent, his erratic training schedule and unpredictable mood swings eventually led the coach to remove him from the starting lineup.”
Examples
simple
“The car's erratic movements made the other drivers nervous.”
contextual
“The stock market has shown erratic behavior lately, with prices jumping up and down for no clear reason.”
complex
“Despite the athlete's undeniable talent, his erratic training schedule and unpredictable mood swings eventually led the coach to remove him from the starting lineup.”
Usage
Often used to describe physical motion, weather patterns, or human behavior; frequently follows linking verbs like 'become' or 'remain'.
Real-World Examples
“Erratic rainfall and hotter temperatures have also made access to water unpredictable despite several government and community-led conservation efforts.” “The first weeks of a new season after a major tournament, especially the World Cup, are often a little erratic anyway, but this feels like a particularly unpredictable start to a campaign.” Etymology
From Middle English erratik, erratyk, from Latin errāticus; compare Old French erratique.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/erratic