Words / C1

i-RAT-ik/ɪˈrætɪk/

Erratic means not regular, steady, or predictable: erratic hours, erratic behaviour. Unpredictable is a close twin; irregular is milder; steady sits opposite. Flexibility is a policy with a grid; a blank night is a failure.

Meaning

Not regular, steady, or predictable.

Examples

• “Erratic cover on the night shift is a rota failure, not “flexibility”.”
• “Unpredictable is the close twin. Uneven is milder. Flexible is a claim that still names people. A grid with holes is a risk. Fill the holes; then boast flexibility if the holes stay filled.”

Good to know

Uneven and unpredictable. Close: unpredictable. Contrast: steady; a real flexible policy (still named). Holes in the night grid are failure.

Near in meaning

unpredictable

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