incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt 

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

ˌin-kə-ˈrek(t)-lē 

adverb

incorrectness

ˌin-kə-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• mistaken
• wrong

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

Consider a car engine: Removing deposits and sludge (inaccurate, outdated, irrelevant and incorrect information) reduces friction, while clean oil (large language models and AI) ensures smooth performance. —Savinay Berry, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Belief in other scientifically incorrect claims can be extremely dangerous. —Mark Boslough, Scientific American, 25 June 2025

The buzzer was heard since that number was incorrect and the price of the car increased to 50 cents. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025

Editor's note: this piece was amended on 23rd June for an incorrect unit conversion. —New Atlas, 22 June 2025

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

Phrases Containing incorrect

• politically incorrect

Rhymes for incorrect

• architect
• circumspect
• deselect
• dialect
• disconnect
• disinfect
• disrespect
• indirect
• intellect
• interject
• intersect
• pluperfect

Kids Definition

incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt 

: not correct: as

a

: inaccurate, faulty

an incorrect copy

b

: not true : wrong

an incorrect answer

c

: not proper

incorrect behavior

incorrectly

-ˈrek-(t)lē 

adverb

incorrectness

-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

noun