adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
US:/ɪˈɹæt.ɪk.li/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:EH0 R AE1 T IH0 K L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In an erratic manner; unsteadily or randomly, unpredictably.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
When I saw the other driver weaving erratically across the road, I decided to keep my distance.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adverb
Meaning 2
in an erratic unpredictable manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
economic changes are proceeding erratically
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: unpredictably
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English erratic Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al Middle English -ly Middle English -ally English -ally English erratically From erratic + -ally.