corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective punishment

corrective noun

correctively adverb

Synonyms of corrective

• reformative
• beneficial
• remedial

Examples of corrective in a Sentence

She had corrective surgery on her knee this past summer.

People with bad eyesight usually need to wear corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Recent Examples on the Web

The state also said federal officials have been difficult to work with; despite providing a corrective action plan and admitting that fraud is an issue in Minnesota, the state hasn't received clarity from the federal government about whether the plan is acceptable or not. —Frankie McLister, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

Some of the state legislation is seeking to do just that — introduce a corrective to what sponsors say is currently unchecked device time in classrooms. —Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026

Valdez will provide an oral presentation of his department’s audit, plus a corrective action plan and ensure timely contractor payments and transparency to the Board of Supervisors at the April 14 board meeting. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

In 2022, Iranian-American poet, performance artist and singer Haleh Liza Gafori offered the first volume of a corrective, in the form of fresh Rumi translations that are at once accessible, deeply contemplative and immediate. —Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing corrective

• self-corrective

Rhymes for corrective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective
• injective

Kids Definition

corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: serving to correct : having the power of making right, normal, or regular

corrective lenses

corrective action

corrective noun

Medical Definition

corrective

1 of 2 adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective surgery

correctively adverb

corrective

2 of 2 noun

: a medication that removes undesirable or unpleasant side effects of other medication

phenobarbital acts as a corrective in overcoming the insomnia produced by ephedrine