correct

1 of 2

verb

cor·​rect kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce correct (audio)
corrected; correcting; corrects

transitive verb

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

correct

2 of 2

adjective

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 adverb
correctness 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

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
But then Lamy corrected the record, saying that the two inks were indeed different. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 This story corrects the spelling of Colombia. ____ Associated Press writers Philip Marcelo in New York, Elliot Spagat in San Diego, and Christopher Sherman and Maria Verza in Mexico City contributed. Baba Ahmed, Quartz, 2 Mar. 2024 This process makes people urinate more and helps correct the acid and alkaline content of the blood to a more normal level. Brian Strickland, The Conversation, 1 Mar. 2024 Think of it almost like a thick and creamy concealer that expertly color corrects uneven skin tone. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 Those of us in the making of the film ended up correcting mistakes … suggestions put in place by interpretations, prejudices and truths that built so many monsters of Florence. Boris Sollazzo, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2024 Detailing his history with regard to his role as a producer on Shōgun, Sanada says that for years he was asked by producers and directors to ‘correct’ cultural missteps, often late in the production cycle, such as in editing. Anne Easton, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 After Netflix apparently charged Glendale residents the City of Milwaukee's sales tax, which was recently raised 2%, in its most recent billing cycle, Glendale's mayor is calling for the subscription streaming service to investigate and correct the error on residents' accounts. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions. New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024
Adjective
If my math is correct, the 15 institutions on the 2024 list represent more than 500 total years of serving top-notch Southern barbecue to hungry diners. Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 Quiz results 1 hour - 534 votes or 94% 3 hours - 17 votes or 3% Bonus fact The correct term is daylight saving time, not daylight savings time. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 Consuelos guessed the latter option, which turned out to be the correct choice, and the audience promptly booed him. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 But is Evers correct that recent classes have been the largest ever? Sophia Voight, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024 Anything can set him off, and there is no correct reaction from me. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 In addition to routing claims to insurance companies, Change also scrubs the claim information to make sure the codes and other details are correct. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Trousers that struck me as audaciously large yesterday looked correct today. Jonah Weiner, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The reader is correct: The process takes about seven weeks—or up to 11 weeks if requested during peak tax time, which is January 15 through April 30 or from abroad. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near correct

Cite this Entry

“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correct. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

correct

1 of 2 verb
cor·​rect kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce correct (audio)
1
a
: to make or set right
c
: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
2
b
: to indicate the faults or errors of and show how they can be made right
correct a student's composition
correctable adjective
corrector noun

correct

2 of 2 adjective
1
: meeting or agreeing with a particular standard
correct behavior
2
: agreeing with fact or known truth
the correct pronunciation
correctly adverb
correctness noun

Medical Definition

correct

transitive verb
cor·​rect kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce correct (audio)
: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
correct a lens for spherical aberration
correctable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on correct

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