erratic
/ɪˈrætɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈrætɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈra-tik/ (ame, mw)
erratic — adjective
- erraticpositive
- more erraticcomparative
- most erraticsuperlative
1. changing suddenly or unevenly instead of following a steady pattern, so that peo
changing suddenly or unevenly instead of following a steady pattern, so that people cannot predict it or rely on it
The bus service became erratic after the drivers went on strike.
become erratic after a disruption
April rain was so erratic that farmers delayed planting their rice.
Nadia's heartbeat turned erratic during the final lap of the race.
The old heater made erratic noises and kept shutting itself off.
Shop owners grew nervous when the cafe's weekly sales became erratic.
- unpredictable
broader and less focused on repeated changes in pattern
- irregular
often more neutral, especially for timing, shape, or heartbeat patterns
- unstable
suggests something may fail, collapse, or change dangerously
- steady
stays even and dependable over time
- consistent
keeps the same standard or pattern without sudden changes
文法句型
erratic + behavior / service / weather / heartbeat
become / grow / turn + erratic
用法筆記
Often used for behavior, movement, weather, services, or results that keep changing instead of staying steady. It usually suggests that people cannot rely on what will happen next.
常見錯誤
erratic — noun
1. a person whose actions or results keep changing in hard-to-predict ways, so othe
a person whose actions or results keep changing in hard-to-predict ways, so other people cannot rely on them
Even loyal fans admit the striker is an erratic who misses easy chances.
pattern: be an erratic who ...
Teachers praised Omar's talent but called him an erratic after another wild outburst.
After three brilliant games and two awful ones, reporters called Lena an erratic.
No club wants an erratic who trains hard one week and vanishes the next.
- loose cannon
informal and stronger, often suggesting the person may cause trouble
- oddball
focuses more on seeming strange than on changing unpredictably
文法句型
an erratic
be / call someone an erratic
用法筆記
Usually refers to a person whose results or behaviour swing sharply from one occasion to another. It is rare in everyday conversation and sounds more literary or journalistic than simply saying 'an unpredictable person'.