correct

verb

cor·rect | \ kə-ˈrekt

corrected; correcting; corrects

Definition of correct

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to make or set right : amend correct an error The editor corrected the author's manuscript.

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 She's having surgery to correct her vision.

2a : to discipline or punish (someone) for some fault or lapse … I was most rude then. Only a small boy, Sir, and I was corrected for it, I assure you, by my father …— Rex Ingamells

b : to point out usually for amendment the errors or faults of spent the day correcting tests

correct

adjective

Definition of correct (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : conforming to an approved or conventional standard correct behavior

2 : conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or known truth a correct response

3 : conforming to a set figure enclosed the correct return postage

4 : conforming to the strict requirements of a specific ideology or set of beliefs or values environmentally correct spiritually correct

Other Words from correct Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about correct

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Other Words from correct

Verb

correctable \ kə-ˈrek-tə-bəl

\ adjective

corrector \ kə-ˈrek-tər

\ noun

Adjective

correctly \ kə-ˈrek(t)-lē

\ adverb

correctness \ kə-ˈrek(t)-nəs

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for correct

Verb

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

Adjective

correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error. correct answers socially correct dress accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care. an accurate description exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth. exact measurements precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation. precise calibration nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination. makes nice distinctions right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault. the right thing to do

Adjective

correct, exact, and accurate mean agreeing with a fact, truth, or standard. correct is used for something that contains no errors. Can you give me correct directions? exact is used for something that agrees very closely with fact or truth. I need the exact measurements of the room. accurate is used when great care has been taken to make sure that something agrees with the facts. He gave an accurate description of the scene.

Examples of correct in a Sentence

Verb

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

Adjective

What's the correct answer to this question? Her watch never tells the correct time. an anatomically correct drawing of the human body Did I give you the correct change? With the correct amount of water and sunlight, the plant will grow well.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

They are designed and should solely be used to correct the tone of the color. — Julia Marzovilla, Marie Claire, "How to Tone Your Hair the Right Way, According to Stylists," 30 Apr. 2019 Microsoft has been working with anti-cheat software vendors like BattlEye to correct the issue before the May 2019 Update’s final release. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "The latest Windows patch is breaking even more PCs with antivirus installed," 19 Apr. 2019 Rowling wasn’t the only one to correct the president. — Gina Martinez, Time, "J.K. Rowling Just Reminded President Trump About the Difference Between 'Pour' and 'Pore'," 4 July 2018 My body tried to correct this by flooding my vasculature with a protein that constricts blood vessels. — Kyle Dickman, Outside Online, "A Rattle with Death in Yosemite," 20 June 2018 In the beginning Jillian tried correcting articles that lumped Arthur and her in with the Purdue side of the family by calling the writers herself. — Norman Vanamee, Town & Country, "How Sackler Became the Most Toxic Name in Philanthropy," 16 May 2019 Although Word already corrects misspelled words and suggests changes to your grammar, Ideas goes a bit further. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Word integrates Microsoft's 'Ideas' to improve your writing with AI smarts," 6 May 2019 Prosecutors say Mark Riddell, 36 years old, helped teens cheat on college-entrance exams by correcting their answers, achieving impressive scores that were then submitted to selective colleges. — Jennifer Levitz, WSJ, "Test-Taking Whiz in College Admissions Scandal Pleads Guilty," 12 Apr. 2019 Many Muslim young adults, including myself, believe that the first step is correcting the ignorance of our peers, to educate and inform on their misconceptions. — Ahmad Ibsais, Teen Vogue, "New Zealand's Mass Shooting is an Expression of the Violence Muslims Face Around the World," 15 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

By David Beckham promised big-name players for his Inter Miami team, and, if a report out of Spain proves correct, the first star to sign could be one of the world’s best players — Barcelona and Uruguay forward Luis Suarez. — Michelle Kaufman, miamiherald, "Barcelona’s Luis Suarez could be headed to David Beckham’s Inter Miami. Here is why," 4 June 2019 North’s bid of four spades was correct since East could have made 3NT. — Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, "Bridge: June 4, 2019," 4 June 2019 In a coaching session, again, the 50/50 rule is paramount in growing from both correct and incorrect answers. 8. — Hafeez Lakhani, Seventeen, "Here's Exactly How To Slay the SAT and ACT," 22 July 2018 The personal exemption was also integral to figuring an employee’s correct withholding from pay. — WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: Standard-Deduction Expansion and Personal Exemption," 15 Feb. 2019 If that idea proves correct, the person presenting an offering to the gods in the final, central panel may be the same person buried in the large basalt sarcophagus found in the tomb. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Ancient “comic strip” depicts the founding of a Roman city," 10 Oct. 2018 But Yost argues the most important element is getting the call correct. — Sam Mcdowell, kansascity, "Royals manager Ned Yost would like to see MLB expand instant replay," 13 June 2018 Industry sources PCWorld contacted said that the roadmaps appear to be correct, though without confirming specifics. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Leaked Intel roadmaps call Intel's 10nm transition into question yet again," 26 Apr. 2019 Yes, your spidey senses are correct: It’s festival season. — Bianca Nieves, Teen Vogue, "Coachella's Latest Fashion Trend Is Ditching Pants for Swimsuits and Undies," 19 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'correct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for correct

Verb

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

Adjective

Middle English, corrected, from Latin correctus, from past participle of corrigere — see correct entry 1

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More Definitions for correct

correct

verb

English Language Learners Definition of correct

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to change (something) so that it is right, true, proper, etc. : to make (something) correct

: to mark the errors on (something that a person has written)

: to deal with or take care of (a problem, bad situation, etc.) successfully

correct

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of correct (Entry 2 of 2)

: true or accurate : agreeing with facts

: having no errors or mistakes

: proper or appropriate in a particular situation

See the full definition for correct in the English Language Learners Dictionary

correct

verb

cor·rect | \ kə-ˈrekt

corrected; correcting

Kids Definition of correct

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to make or set right Please correct any misspelled words.

2 : to change or adjust so as to bring to some standard or to a required condition My watch was slow, so I corrected it. Glasses will correct your vision.

3 : to punish in order to improve … Buldeo went out angrily … anxious to correct Mowgli for not taking better care of the herd.— Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book

4 : to show how a thing can be improved or made right She corrected the students' papers.