incorrect

1 of 2

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

incorrectness

2 of 2

noun

in·​correctness "+ 

: the quality or state of being incorrect

Synonyms of incorrect

Adjective

• wrong
• mistaken
• erroneous

Examples of incorrect in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Once the outcome is decided, a correct contract is worth $1 and an incorrect contract is worth nothing. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026

The crypto firm is far from the last to have sent out entirely incorrect new alerts. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026

Additionally, a majority of red flags identified in the credentialing process, usually caused by incorrect or missing data, more often than not punish qualified physicians rather than weeding out bad actors as intended. — John Bou, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

With three Japanese players around him, the decision to immediately engage during such a transitional moment was incorrect. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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