Tom was sent on an errand to the store.
Source: tatoeba (37251)
Errand
/ˈɛɹənd/
Synonyms for "errand" (71 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (15)
Strong matches (21)
commitmentconsignmentcuredelegated authoritydelegationdeputationdevolutiondevolvementdutyembassyempowermententrustingentrustmentexecutorshipexequaturexercisefactorshipfish to fryfull powerhomework
Show 1 more word
Related words (35)
job of workjourneyjurisdictionlaborlegationlicenselieutenancymake-workmandatematters in handmissionodd jobofficepiece of workplenipotentiary powerpower of attorneypower to actprocurationprojectproxy
Show 14 more words
purviewregencyregentshipresponsibilityservicestinttaskthings to dotriptrusttrusteeshipvicarious authoritywarrantwork
Noun(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: agency, agentship, assignment, assignment, authority.
- Sentence evidence is available for errand, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "errand".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "errand"
Keep "errand" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "errand" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "errand", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "errand" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
Translations
45 translations across 26 languages.
Arabic
1 entries- مشور noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Bashkir
1 entries- йомош noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Catalan
2 entries- diligència noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- encàrrec noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Chinese Mandarin
3 entries- 任務 /任务 noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- 使命 noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- 差使 noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Danish
1 entries- ærinde noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Dutch
1 entries- boodschap noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Finnish
3 entries- juokseva asia noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- juttu noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- tehtävä noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
French
1 entries- course noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Galician
4 entries- encarga noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- encomenda noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- mandado noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- recado noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
German
2 entries- Auftrag noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- Besorgung noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Hebrew
1 entries- שְׁלִיחוּת noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Hungarian
4 entries- küldetés noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- megbízatás noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- megbízás noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- út noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Irish
1 entries- teachtaireacht noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Italian
3 entries- ambasciata noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- commissione noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- incombenza noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Japanese
2 entries- お使い noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- 使命 noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Jeju
1 entries- 부름씨 noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Kazakh
1 entries- іс сапар noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Korean
1 entries- 심부름 noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Portuguese
1 entries- encargo noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Russian
3 entries- зада́ние noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- командиро́вка noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- поруче́ние noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Spanish
2 entries- mandado noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- recado noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Swedish
1 entries- ärende noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Turkish
2 entries- edinme noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
- tedarik noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Ukrainian
1 entries- побігашка noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Welsh
1 entries- neges noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Yoruba
1 entries- iṣẹ́ noun (trip to accomplish a small task)
Sample sentences
18 total sentences available.
Will you go out on an errand?
Source: tatoeba (64471)
Don't delay on this errand.
Source: tatoeba (245484)
What are you, just an errand boy? Start thinking for yourself and give me something serious to work with.
Source: tatoeba (245885)
Showing 4 of 18 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "errand"?
Closest matches include agency, agentship, assignment, assignment, authority.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "errand"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.