errand /ˈɛɹənd/noun 5verb 2forms 3phrases 1 noun5 •A journey undertaken to accomplish some task. •A mundane mission of no great consequence, concerning household or business affairs (dropping items by, doing paperwork, going to a friend's house, etc.)The errands before he could start the project included getting material at the store and getting the tools he had lent his neighbors.I'm going to town on some errands. •The purpose of such a journey. •An oral message trusted to a person for delivery.I had not taught thee then the alphabet Of flowers, how they, devicefully being set And bound up, might with speechless secrecy Deliver errands mutely and mutually. — 1633 •(literary, no longer used) A mission or quest.What will ye, said King Arthur, and what is your errand? — 1889 verb2 •To send someone on an errand.All the servants were on holiday or erranded out of the house. •To go on an errand.She spent an enjoyable afternoon erranding in the city. formserranded · erranding · errands Phrases with errand fool's errandA foolish undertaking, especially one that is purposeless, fruitless, nonsensical, or certain to fail.
