- a short trip undertaken to perform a necessary task or commission (esp in the phrase run errands)
- the purpose or object of such a trip
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
er•rand /ˈɛrənd/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a short trip to accomplish a certain purpose:I have to do a few errands for my mother.
er•rand
(er′ənd),USA pronunciation n.
- a short and quick trip to accomplish a specific purpose, as to buy something, deliver a package, or convey a message, often for someone else.
- the purpose of such a trip:He finished his errands.
- a special mission or function entrusted to a messenger;
commission.
- bef. 900; Middle English erande, Old English ærende; cognate with Old High German āruntī; compare Old English ār messenger, Gothic airus
- 1. 2. mission, task, assignment, chore.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
errand /ˈɛrənd/ n
'errand' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
ambassador
- caddie
- fool's errand
- message
- printer's devil
- run
- stop off
- call
- chore
- emissary
- erring
- lobbygow
- loiter
- messenger
- mochila
- type-cast
- sleeveless