# erratic

/ɪˈɹætɪk/ (US) · /ɛɹˈætɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/erratic
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used to describe physical motion, weather patterns, or human behavior; frequently follows linking verbs like 'become' or 'remain'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.