noun
errand
EH-ruhnd
noun
1
A short trip made to complete a specific, usually minor, task.
"She ran a few errands before lunch, like posting a letter and picking up groceries."
"He sent his assistant on an errand to buy stamps."
How to Use Errand
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small task that requires going somewhere to complete, like shopping or dropping something off.
Common pairings
run errands
go on an errand
errand boy
Word Forms
erranded past tense, errands plural, errands singular
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She ran a few _____ before lunch, like posting a letter and picking up groceries.
Etymology
From Old English ǣrende, meaning "message" or "mission" — originally something you were sent to do or deliver.