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
From the M-W Editors
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.
Recent Examples of correct from the Web
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After his quarterfinal defeat, top-seeded (in the men’s draw, that is) Andy Murray got plenty of plaudits for correcting a reporter who claimed that Querrey became the first American semifinalist since 2009.
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At 3 years old, she was diagnosed with kidney reflux disorder after an onslaught of urinary tract infections, and underwent surgery at 9 to correct the problem.
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This story was updated to correct a statement about the relationship between speaker surface area and speaker performance.
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The project has been years in the making and would correct a place that has severe road flooding in heavy rains.
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The player’s second contract eventually corrects things.
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The first step in correcting for quad dominance is reestablishing how to correctly do squat and lunge exercises.
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And so when a politician spews vicious, obvious lies on a near-daily basis — and directs a good portion of that venom at the free press itself — CNN’s anchors and reporters feel compelled to correct and condemn such mendacity.
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The New York Times, too, had to correct a June editorial and apologize for incorrectly linking a map produced by Sarah Palin’s political action committee to the 2011 shooting of Rep. Gabby Giffords.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'correct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of correct
Middle English, from Latin correctus, past participle of corrigere, from com- + regere to lead straight — more at right
Synonym Discussion of correct
synonyms see in addition punish
correct
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
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.
Recent Examples of correct from the Web
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The Colombian official arrived at what was arguably the correct decision following two visits to the touchline to consult video replays and first showing only a yellow card, then a red card, to the wrong Cameroon player.
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There has to be a correct amount of distance between the handle and the blade.
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Volunteers must enjoy working with patrons and have the ability to make correct change.
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Players participate in hitting, base running and defensive drills, as well as the correct way to handle relay throws and other fundamental practices.
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If the skeletal clues had been correct, the mitochondrial genomes of Palaeoloxodon should have compared most closely to today’s Asian elephants.
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But even in a subculture devoted to community-building, things can take a less innocent turn, spawning private GroupMe messages and group texts used as backchannels for sharing non-politically correct content.
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In regular session, the council introduced an ordinance updating the city’s municipal code to address changes in state laws, correct errors and improve regulations; and to update amendments to the Specific Plans for parts of the city.
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In his briefing room, the press secretary suggested, the most convoluted explanation of something is usually the correct one.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'correct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of correct
Middle English, corrected, from Latin correctus, from past participle of corrigere —see 1correct
Synonym Discussion of correct
CORRECT Defined for English Language Learners
correct
playDefinition of correct for English Language Learners
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: to change (something) so that it is right, true, proper, etc. : to make (something) correct
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: to mark the errors on (something that a person has written)
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: to deal with or take care of (a problem, bad situation, etc.) successfully
correct
Definition of correct for English Language Learners
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: true or accurate : agreeing with facts
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: having no errors or mistakes
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: proper or appropriate in a particular situation
CORRECT Defined for Kids
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.
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
adverbcorrectness
nounWord 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.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about correct
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See words that rhyme with correct Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for correct Spanish Central: Translation of correct Nglish: Translation of correct for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of correct for Arabic speakers
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