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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the WebNew York Times, 26 Sep. 2023
But the genetic data in the huge study correct this story, says Wei Chen, a senior research scientist at Yunnan Agricultural University in China and one of the study's leaders.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023
Seattle gave up more than 400 total yards for the second straight week, but Smith and the offense might be good enough to give the defense time to correct its mistakes.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2023
Hopefully, after nearly 80 years, that situation will be corrected with the first complete studio recording (Mack Avenue, out now) of Williams’s 1945 masterpiece, by the outstanding contemporary pianist Aaron Diehl and an orchestra, The Knights, conducted by Eric Jacobsen.
—Will Friedwald, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2023
The article was also updated to correct which species in the stem cell zoo have the fastest and slowest segmentation-clock oscillations.
—Quanta Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023
This story has been corrected to reflect Ford’s CEO and his compensation in 2019.
—Alexandra Olson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
What bothered me the most was the lack of proper etiquette in a theater, and that rather than correct their children, the mothers scolded me.
—Judith Martin, oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
Mao’s goal was not to divert the public’s attention but to stabilize the border by destroying the new Indian positions and correct any perception that China was weak.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2023
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2023
If Wall Street is correct, the weight loss drugs will rival some of the best selling drugs of all time.
—WSJ, 26 Sep. 2023
Shoppers also mention that this style runs large, so keep that in mind when choosing your correct size.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
He is trained to attack if given the correct set of orders, in German.
—Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
Do not give Advil to an infant younger than 6 months or aspirin to a child younger than 18.14
Follow the instructions on the label to give your infant or child the correct amount of medicine.
—Leah Groth, Health, 20 Sep. 2023
In a livestream video last month, CU star Travis Hunter, who suffered an injury in last week’s win over Colorado State and is out this week, acknowledged Lanning was correct in his statement at the time.
—oregonlive, 18 Sep. 2023
This is one of the few times when everyone is correct.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2023
The reason the Ravens are likely correct is because of those sheer numbers.
—Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
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Verb
Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions.
—New York Times, 26 Sep. 2023
But the genetic data in the huge study correct this story, says Wei Chen, a senior research scientist at Yunnan Agricultural University in China and one of the study's leaders.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023
Seattle gave up more than 400 total yards for the second straight week, but Smith and the offense might be good enough to give the defense time to correct its mistakes.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2023
Hopefully, after nearly 80 years, that situation will be corrected with the first complete studio recording (Mack Avenue, out now) of Williams’s 1945 masterpiece, by the outstanding contemporary pianist Aaron Diehl and an orchestra, The Knights, conducted by Eric Jacobsen.
—Will Friedwald, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2023
The article was also updated to correct which species in the stem cell zoo have the fastest and slowest segmentation-clock oscillations.
—Quanta Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023
This story has been corrected to reflect Ford’s CEO and his compensation in 2019.
—Alexandra Olson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
What bothered me the most was the lack of proper etiquette in a theater, and that rather than correct their children, the mothers scolded me.
—Judith Martin, oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
Mao’s goal was not to divert the public’s attention but to stabilize the border by destroying the new Indian positions and correct any perception that China was weak.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Picking the correct jurors could become another factor in a slow trial, according to legal expert and Professor RonNell Andersen Jones.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2023
If Wall Street is correct, the weight loss drugs will rival some of the best selling drugs of all time.
—WSJ, 26 Sep. 2023
Shoppers also mention that this style runs large, so keep that in mind when choosing your correct size.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
He is trained to attack if given the correct set of orders, in German.
—Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
Do not give Advil to an infant younger than 6 months or aspirin to a child younger than 18.14
Follow the instructions on the label to give your infant or child the correct amount of medicine.
—Leah Groth, Health, 20 Sep. 2023
In a livestream video last month, CU star Travis Hunter, who suffered an injury in last week’s win over Colorado State and is out this week, acknowledged Lanning was correct in his statement at the time.
—oregonlive, 18 Sep. 2023
This is one of the few times when everyone is correct.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2023
The reason the Ravens are likely correct is because of those sheer numbers.
—Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'correct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
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
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of correct was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing correct
Dictionary Entries Near correct
Cite this Entry
“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correct. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on correct
Nglish: Translation of correct for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of correct for Arabic Speakers
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