What does errand mean?
Word: Errand
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Errand means a short trip to do a small job, such as buying something or delivering a message, often for someone else.
Synonyms: job
How do you spell errand?
Syllables: er - rand
Tricky part: The second part sounds like rand, and it is spelt that way: the ending is and, as in hand and band.
Watch out for: errund, erend, errandd
Memory tip: On an errand you go out and come back: one r for going, one r for returning, then and.
Idioms and Phrases
- a fool's errand: a task that has no chance of success Example: "Searching the whole beach for her lost earring was a fool's errand."
Errand in a sentence
Example 1: Mum sent me on an errand to buy milk and bread.
Example 2: Grandpa runs his errands in the morning before the shops get crowded.
Example 3: I ran an errand for our neighbour who was busy at work.
Fun Fact
Errand comes from the Old English aerende, a message, so long ago an errand meant a message carried for someone.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
On Saturday, my sister and I ran an errand to the tailor near the markit.
a) sister
b) errand
c) Saturday
d) markit
Show answer
d) markit. Market ends in et, like basket; errand is spelt correctly.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
errand
a) task
b) prize
c) rest
d) holiday
Show answer
a) task. An errand is a small task, usually done for someone else.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) grosery
b) delivary
c) errand
d) pharmasy
Show answer
c) errand. Grocery and pharmacy both need a c, and delivery has an e after the v; errand is the one spelt right.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
dnarer
a) errand
b) warden
c) darken
d) erred
Show answer
a) errand. Erred needs a second e, darken a k and warden a w, so the six letters make errand.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Mum asks you to run an errand. What might it be?
a) doing your maths homework at your desk
b) tidying the toys in your own room
c) posting a letter at the post office
d) practising the piano for an hour
Show answer
c) posting a letter at the post office
2. Ravi ran an errand. This means he ____.
a) went to the shop for his mother
b) told a long, funny story
c) made a careless mistake
d) won a long race at school
Show answer
a) went to the shop for his mother
