incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt 

1

a

: not true : wrong

incorrect answers

b

: inaccurate, faulty

an incorrect transcription

incorrect grammar/spelling/usage

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 of incorrect

• wrong
• mistaken
• erroneous

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

And the Chiefs had a touchdown taken off the board on what appeared to be an incorrect call by the officiating crew. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Nov. 2025

Tarrant County College leadership provided incorrect information to faculty members, resulting in dozens of them having to repay portions of their salaries, according two employees and emails obtained by the Star-Telegram. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025

Before that, the Lancet, the journal that had originally published Wakefield's study, retracted the paper because elements were incorrect. —Lauren Gelman, Parents, 21 Nov. 2025

That turned out to be incorrect. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 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