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computer error

computer error

4 2.8
A problem in a computer that makes it give wrong or unexpected results
  • noun
  • /kəmˈpjuːtər ˈɛrər/
translation icon : error informático
  • It's a typical computer error, Giles.
  • blamed a computer error

Examples

  • I used to collect computer error messages.

    Blog text (26)
  • Why is a computer error always caused by an innocent glitch?

    Blog text (4)
  • Guys, this has got to be some kind of computer error.

  • Look, it was a computer error.

  • At first, I thought it must be some kind of computer error.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Due to a computer error, I was taken to the wrong operating room.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • It's just a computer error.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Jane had searched the computer error logs for hours.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • We were hoping we'd never have to use it, but we cannot risk a malfunction or a computer error, so one of us is going to have to pilot the Ra.

  • Due to a computer error, I was taken to the wrong operating room.

Synonyms

error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
300 3.0

A computer problem that makes a program give a wrong result or stop

focuses on causes like faulty hardware software or corrupted data
bug
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
211 2.8

An error in a computer program that makes it not work correctly

is the more formal technical term used for faults and their causes
programming error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A mistake in computer code that makes software behave wrongly

is broader not limited to developer mistakes but includes hardware or data faults
software error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A problem in a computer program that makes it give wrong results

is broader covering faults in hardware program data or other components
system error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A message that tells you the computer cannot follow an instruction

refers to incorrect or unexpected results in many components not only operating software
runtime error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
4.6

An unexpected problem that happens while a program runs because of wrong input or actions

is not limited to execution time and can include hardware or data faults
semantic error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
6.9

An error in a program's logic that makes it give wrong results even when the code runs without errors

covers many causes beyond logic faults such as hardware or corrupt data
algorithm error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
5.4

A mistake in the steps a program uses that gives wrong results

is broader including causes other than wrong methods like hardware failure
hardware error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
3.4

A problem caused by a broken part inside a computer

includes that type but also covers faults from code or corrupted information
disk error
vscomputer error
  • Specialized
3.8

A problem when a computer cannot open or save files on a disk because the disk is damaged

is broader not limited to storage faults but applies to other causes as well

How Serious

to crash
  • Specialized
156 3.2
computer error
4 2.8
bug
  • Specialized
211 2.8
to glitch
  • Specialized
3 5.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

computer + error

The meaning 'an occasion when a computer produces an incorrect or unexpected result' is directly and compositionally derived from combining 'computer' (an electronic device) with 'error' (an incorrect result). This noun+noun construction is transparent and cross-linguistically regular, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Computer error comes from the simple image of a machine giving the wrong answer: in early computers a loose wire, a bad punched card or a wrong instruction would make the machine fail or print the wrong result. So a computer error means 'a mistake' or 'a wrong or unexpected result' from a computer or its program.