incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce incorrect (audio)
1
a
: not true : wrong
incorrect answers
b
: inaccurate, faulty
an incorrect transcription
2
: unbecoming, improper
incorrect behavior
3
obsolete : not corrected or chastened
incorrectly adverb
incorrectness noun

Examples of incorrect in a Sentence

The doctor's diagnosis was incorrect. The story in the newspaper is incorrect. The restaurant considers jeans and T-shirts incorrect attire for dinner.
Recent Examples on the Web Brass Monkey’s Misunderstood Songs Game includes 300 cards that feature incorrect lyrics to popular songs. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2023 Lastly, judges and police officers provided incorrect or incomplete information about when or whether defendants were required to appear in court. Sian Mughan, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2023 Due to a source error, a previous version of this article included an incorrect number for police calls for trespassing this year at the Woodlawn Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2023 Additionally, Montag recalled her near-death experience during the surgeries when she was allegedly given the incorrect dose of the opioid Demerol for pain relief. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023 An article in Sunday editions about a federal agency requiring improvements had an incorrect employer for the surveyor. The Oregonian, oregonlive, 19 Sep. 2023 Advertisement The Times found the errors have included cases in which pharmacists gave customers the wrong drug, a dosage that was too high or low, or dangerously incorrect instructions for taking the medication. Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 Light that would contribute an incorrect perspective is blocked, while light that provides an accurate perspective is allowed to reach the sensors. IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2023 That means using bathrooms that clash with their gender identity and facing teachers who can call them by the incorrect pronouns, among many other restrictions. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incorrect.' 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

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incorrectus, from in- + correctus correct

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of incorrect was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near incorrect

Cite this Entry

“Incorrect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incorrect. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

incorrect

adjective
in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce incorrect (audio)
: not correct: as
a
: inaccurate, faulty
an incorrect copy
b
: not true : wrong
an incorrect answer
c
: not proper
incorrect behavior
incorrectly adverb
incorrectness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on incorrect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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