correct

¹cor·rect

verb \kə-ˈrekt\

Definition of CORRECT

transitive verb

1

a : to make or set right : amend <correct an error> b : counteract, neutralize <correct a harmful tendency> c : to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition <correct a lens for spherical aberration>

2

a : to punish (as a child) with a view to reforming or improving b : to point out usually for amendment the errors or faults of <spent the day correcting tests>

— cor·rect·able \-ˈrek-tə-bəl\ adjective

— cor·rec·tor \-ˈrek-tər\ noun

Examples of CORRECT

1. I hate it when she corrects my grammar.
2. Please correct your essay for punctuation errors.
3. Our teacher hasn't finished correcting our tests yet.
4. He corrects papers with a red pen.
5. We are finding ways to correct this difficult situation.
6. We'll correct the problem with the circuit as soon as possible.
7. These medicines are used for correcting chemical imbalances in the brain.

Origin of CORRECT

Middle English, from Latin correctus, past participle of corrigere, from com- + regere to lead straight — more at right

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CORRECT

Synonyms: amend, debug, emend, rectify, red-pencil, reform, remedy

Antonyms: excuse, pardon, spare

Related Words: redraft, redraw, restyle, revise, rework, rewrite; blue-pencil, cut, shorten; redress, right; ameliorate, better, improve; perfect, polish, touch up; fix, mend, repair; adjust, modulate, regulate; alter, change, modify

Near Antonyms: damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, spoil; aggravate, worsen

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of CORRECT

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong. correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects <correct your spelling>. rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed <rectify a misguided policy>. emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript <emend a text>. remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil <set out to remedy the evils of the world>. redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance <redress past social injustices>. amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes <amend a law>, reform implying drastic change <plans to reform the court system>, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes <revise the schedule>.

Rhymes with CORRECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked