corrected; correcting; corrects
1
a
: 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.
2
a
: 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
Rex Ingamells
b
: to point out usually for amendment the errors or faults of
spent the day correcting tests
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
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
Chris Johnston, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The President has said the nation is experiencing a setback that will be corrected by manufacturing jobs being created in the U.S.
Biden has been publicly quiet about the incessant criticism that continues to come from his successor.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Jessie Rosen, People.com, 3 May 2025
If the expert’s timeframe is correct, that means Yarborough would have been dead long before the cookout began.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for correct
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Verb
The mistake was caught within minutes and officials were alerted so that it could be corrected, according to a team source.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The President has said the nation is experiencing a setback that will be corrected by manufacturing jobs being created in the U.S.
Biden has been publicly quiet about the incessant criticism that continues to come from his successor.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Adjective
My life was just 93 more respondents away from being cosmically deemed correct!
—Jessie Rosen, People.com, 3 May 2025
If the expert’s timeframe is correct, that means Yarborough would have been dead long before the cookout began.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for correct
Cite this Entry
“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correct. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
correct
1 of 2 verb
cor·rect
kə-ˈrekt 
1
a
: to make or set right
b
c
: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
2
a
b
: to indicate the faults or errors of and show how they can be made right
correct a student's composition
correct
2 of 2 adjective1
: meeting or agreeing with a particular standard
correct behavior
2
: agreeing with fact or known truth
the correct pronunciation
Medical Definition
correct
transitive verb
cor·rect
kə-ˈrekt
: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
correct a lens for spherical aberration
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