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 county said the equipment failures were reported to the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, which recommended corrective actions subject to approval by the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Folks who wear prescription glasses can continue using their corrective lenses alongside the system. — New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026

When targets are not met, the office would work with the organization on corrective actions and, as a final step, could levy progressive financial penalties on organizations that did not fall within these thresholds. — Paul Markovich, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026

Record participants, results, failures, corrective actions, owners and deadlines. — Bojan Ilic, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 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