rectify

verb

rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī 

rectified; rectifying

transitive verb

1

: to set right : remedy

2

: to purify especially by repeated or fractional distillation

rectified alcohol

3

: to correct by removing errors : adjust

rectify the calendar

4

: to make (an alternating current) unidirectional

rectification

ˌrek-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Did you know?

When you rectify something, you correct an error or make things right, which is fitting because rectify and correct both ultimately trace back to the Latin word regere, meaning “to lead straight,” “to direct,” or “to rule.” Rectify has had its “to set right” meaning since the early 16th century, but the word has over the years accrued various other meanings as well, including the specialized uses “to purify especially by repeated or fractional distillation” (as in “rectified alcohol”), “to make (an alternating current) unidirectional,” and several medical applications having to do with healing of one kind or another. Regere plays a part in the histories of several familiar English words, in addition to those mentioned above; the many relatives of rectify include direct, resurrection, and regimen.

Synonyms of rectify

• amend
• correct
• remedy

Choose the Right Synonym for rectify

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

Examples of rectify in a Sentence

The hotel management promised to rectify the problem.

let me get the store manager, and he'll rectify the invoice for your order

Recent Examples on the Web

Matt Martin, 47th, said when asked if the last few years of persistent setbacks should have taken this long to rectify. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Panizo’s post erroneously that the battle was against Croatia, a mistake the local podcaster later rectified. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

California plans to sue in 60 days if the situation isn’t rectified. — Jennifer McDermott, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Two months after that April embarrassment, the Charlotte Hornets took a positive step to rectify their obvious lack of physicality. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rectifien, from Anglo-French rectifier, from Medieval Latin rectificare, from Latin rectus right — more at right

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rectify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

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Kids Definition

rectify

verb

rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī 

rectified; rectifying

: to set or make right

rectifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl

adjective

rectification

ˌrek-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

rectify

transitive verb

rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī 

rectified; rectifying

1

: to purify (as alcohol) especially by repeated or fractional distillation

2

: to make (an alternating current) unidirectional