correct

verb

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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

Synonyms & Antonyms for correct

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Adjective

accurate,
bang on
[chiefly British],
dead-on,
exact,
good,
on-target,
precise,
proper,
right,
so,
spot-on,
true,
veracious

Antonyms: Adjective

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

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 Why take 15 or even 30 minutes in a meeting if a question shared between two people or a project team can keep things on track or course-correct any assumptions in a few minutes? — Shannon Brooks, Forbes, "How To Overcome Our Tendency Toward Overcommunication In Remote Working Environments," 5 Apr. 2021 The changes Northam proposed to the Virginia Voting Rights Act are not substantial, the governor’s office said, and simply correct technical language in the bill. — Washington Post, "Northam supports Virginia Voting Rights Act, paid sick leave for home health workers and host of other measures at deadline for action," 1 Apr. 2021 The third episode, released this week, opens with practically a direct address to correct the record. — Zosha Millman, Vulture, "Demi Lovato’s Documentary Is Acutely Aware of Its Image," 31 Mar. 2021 Matze's attorneys, James Pisanelli and Todd Bice, said in a brief statement Tuesday the lawsuit aims to vindicate Matze's rights, correct his wrongful termination and address breaches of contract and good faith. — Ken Ritter, Star Tribune, "Parler network founder claims GOP donor, others defamed him," 23 Mar. 2021 This was an opportunity not to correct the record, but give the record more context. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, "‘The Real World’ Co-Creator Jonathan Murray on the New York ‘Homecoming’," 3 Mar. 2021 The Avaaz report says Facebook must do more to correct the record. — Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, "Facebook says it cracked down on climate change lies. Then came false power outage claims during Texas winter storm," 25 Feb. 2021 Only now, few survivors are left to correct the record. — Adam G. Klein, The Conversation, "How to fight Holocaust denial in social media – with the evidence of what really happened," 3 Dec. 2020 After the error came to light, Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos formally requested a change in Kavanaugh's opinion, telling the court's clerk to correct the record. — Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, "Brett Kavanaugh edits his voting opinion upon Vermont secretary of state's request," 29 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Every aced quiz, every spelling bee prize, every science fair trophy is confirmation that the decision to leave India was correct, while failure of any kind throws the family’s entire sacrifice into doubt. — Washington Post, "Sanjena Sathian’s ‘Gold Diggers’ is a witty social satire with a dash of magic," 6 Apr. 2021 That is correct, better than before COVID-19 devastated the economy. — Robin Ryan, Forbes, "Six-Figure Job Hiring Hits Before Pandemic High: How To Land One," 6 Apr. 2021 But, if Chao’s diagnosis is correct, and if surgery is required, the doctor says the recovery period is about six months. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, "Why Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. might need surgery," 6 Apr. 2021 Luckily, Karlson’s hunch was correct, as the stinging swiftly abated after his wife poured the soda over the affected areas. — Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, "A Very Angry Octopus Goes Viral After Lashing Out at an Australian Tourist," 5 Apr. 2021 Chu said that while Barfield concluded certain members were extremist, military procedure would have dictated that a larger investigation take place to determine if Barfield's information was correct. — Ashley Fantz, CNN, "The military has long had an extremism problem. What will it do now to finally solve it?," 31 Mar. 2021 If my memories of 2019 are correct, March tends to be a month of anticipation even in relatively normal times. — Judy Berman, Time, "The 5 Best New Shows Our TV Critic Watched in March 2021," 31 Mar. 2021 In a story March 29, 2021, about Volkswagen of America, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the company would change its brand name to Voltswagen, based on assurances from the company the change was correct. — Tom Krisher, ajc, "Correction: 'Voltswagen' of America story," 31 Mar. 2021 In a story March 29, 2021, about Volkswagen of America, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the company would change its brand name to Voltswagen, based on assurances from the company the change was correct. — Tom Krisher, Star Tribune, "Correction: 'Voltswagen' of America story," 30 Mar. 2021

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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Dictionary Entries near correct

corrected establishment

corrected grain

Statistics for correct

Last Updated

9 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correct. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

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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.

correct

adjective

Kids Definition of correct (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : free from mistakes : accurate the correct answer

2 : meeting or agreeing with some standard : appropriate correct behavior correct dress for school

Choose the Right Synonym for correct

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.