correct

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verb cor·rect \kə-ˈrekt\

Definition of correct

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

correctable

play \kə-ˈrek-tə-bəl\ adjective

corrector

play \kə-ˈrek-tər\ noun

See correct defined for English-language learners

See correct defined for kids

Examples of correct in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of correct

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

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of correct

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

correct

adjective cor·rect

Definition of correct

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

correctly

play \kə-ˈrek(t)-lē\ adverb

correctness

play \kə-ˈrek(t)-nəs\ noun

See correct defined for English-language learners

Examples of correct in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of correct

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

NEW!

First Known Use: 1668

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of correct

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

CORRECT Defined for English Language Learners

correct

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verb

Definition of correct for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of correct for English Language Learners

: true or accurate : agreeing with facts
: having no errors or mistakes
: proper or appropriate in a particular situation

CORRECT Defined for Kids

correct

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verb cor·rect \kə-ˈrekt\

Definition of correct for Students

corrected

;

correcting

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

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adjective cor·rect

Definition of correct for Students

1 : free from mistakes : accurate the correct answer
2 : meeting or agreeing with some standard : appropriate correct behavior correct dress for school

correctly

adverb

correctness

noun

Word Root of correct

The Latin word rēctus, meaning “straight” or “right,” gives us the root rect. Words from the Latin rēctus have something to do with being straight or correct. Something erect stands straight up. Something correct is right. A rectangle is a shape made of four straight lines and four right angles.