What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
errant
Example
The errant child wandered away from the playground. [errant: adjective]
Example
The company's errant spending habits led to financial trouble. [errant: adjective]
Example
The errant knight set out on a quest to rescue the princess. [errant: adjective]
wayward
Example
The wayward teenager refused to follow the rules. [wayward: adjective]
Example
The company's wayward policies led to public backlash. [wayward: adjective]
Example
The wayward path through the forest was full of obstacles. [wayward: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wayward is more commonly used than errant in everyday language. Wayward is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while errant is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between errant and wayward?
While wayward is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, errant is more formal and may be used in literary or academic contexts.
