Main Entry: ¹cor·rect

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈrekt\

Function: transitive verb

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

Date: 14th century

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

synonyms 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>.

synonyms see in addition punish