WordDream · Your AI dictionary

erratic

English → EnglishformalInstant · from the shared dictionary
Illustration of "erratic": Erratic describes something that lacks a consistent pattern, purpose, or direction. Think of a ball

What does "erratic" mean?

Erratic describes something that lacks a consistent pattern, purpose, or direction. Think of a ball bouncing unpredictably across a floor or a person whose mood shifts without warning; it is the quality of being irregular, unstable, or flighty. In usage, it is often applied to performance, weather, or human behavior that makes others feel uneasy because it is difficult to predict. While "random" implies a lack of order, "erratic" specifically suggests a departure from a previously expected, steady state.

"erratic" in conversation

Checking on a teammate

Is the server acting up again?

Is the server acting up again?

Yeah, the performance has been really erratic all morning.

Yeah, the performance has been really erratic all morning.

Used here to describe unstable technical performance.

Discussing a driver

I pulled him over because his driving was extremely erratic.

I pulled him over because his driving was extremely erratic.

Did he seem like he was under the influence?

Did he seem like he was under the influence?

Used to describe dangerous, unpredictable movement on the road.

"erratic" in a sentence

  1. The baby took erratic steps as he learned to walk.

    The baby took erratic steps as he learned to walk.

  2. Her erratic sleep schedule made it difficult to stay focused at work.

    Her erratic sleep schedule made it difficult to stay focused at work.

  3. The erratic fluctuations in the stock market caused widespread panic among investors.

    The erratic fluctuations in the stock market caused widespread panic among investors.

Not another dictionary

An AI-native multilingual dictionary: decode the words other dictionaries can't handle.

WordDream explains every word the way a teacher would, with real-life scenes, graded examples, audio and a picture. It also covers what traditional dictionaries miss: names, places, proper nouns, internet slang, and words that don't translate.

And it isn't just English. Look up words in any language, keep a multilingual Notebook, and turn your saved words into stories with Spin a yarn.

Try WordDream: Look up a wordOpen “erratic” in WordDream

Free account · sign in to use features

More everyday & curious words

Browse the whole set in Everyday & Curious Words.

Explained by WordDream, an AI-native multilingual dictionary.