right

adjective

Save Word

\ ˈrīt

Definition of right

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : righteous, upright

2 : being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper right conduct

3 : conforming to facts or truth : correct the right answer

4 : suitable, appropriate the right man for the job

5 : straight a right line

6 : genuine, real

7a : of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body which is away from the side on which the heart is mostly located

b : located nearer to the right hand than to the left

c : located to the right of an observer facing the object specified or directed as the right arm would point when raised out to the side

d(1) : located on the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified stage right

(2) : located on the right when facing downstream the right bank of a river

e : done with the right hand a right hook to the jaw

8 : having the axis perpendicular to the base right cone

9 : of, relating to, or constituting the principal or more prominent side of an object made sure the socks were right side out

10 : acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact time proved her right

11a : being in good physical or mental health or order not in his right mind

b : being in a correct or proper state put things right

12 : most favorable or desired : preferable also : socially acceptable knew all the right people

13 often capitalized : of, adhering to, or constituted by the Right especially in politics

right

noun

Definition of right (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : qualities (such as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval

2 : something to which one has a just claim: such as

a : the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled voting rights his right to decide

b(1) : the interest that one has in a piece of property —often used in plural mineral rights

(2) rights plural : the property interest possessed under law or custom and agreement in an intangible thing especially of a literary and artistic nature film rights of the novel

3 : something that one may properly claim as due knowing the truth is her right

4 : the cause of truth or justice

5a : right hand sense 1a also : a blow struck with this hand gave him a hard right on the jaw

b : the location or direction of the right side woods on his right

c : the part on the right side

d : right field

e : a turn to the right take a right at the stop sign

6a : the true account or correct interpretation

b : the quality or state of being factually correct

7 often capitalized

a : the part of a legislative chamber located to the right of the presiding officer

b : the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the right as a result of holding more conservative political views than other members

8a often capitalized : individuals professing support of the established order and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and conservative governmental policies

b often capitalized : a conservative position

9a : a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price

b : the negotiable certificate evidencing such privilege —usually used in plural

by rights or less commonly by all rights

: with reason or justice : properly

in one's own right

: by virtue of one's own qualifications or properties

of right

1 : as an absolute right

2 : legally or morally exactable

to rights

: into proper order

right

adverb

Definition of right (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : according to right live right

2 : in the exact location, position, or moment : precisely right at his fingertips quit right then and there

3 : in a suitable, proper, or desired manner knew he wasn't doing it right

4 : in a direct line, course, or manner : directly, straight go right home came right out and said it

5 : according to fact or truth : truly guessed right

6a : all the way windows right to the floor

b : in a complete manner felt right at home

7 : without delay : immediately right after lunch

8 : to a great degree : very a right pleasant day

9 : on or to the right looked left and right

right

verb

righted; righting; rights

Definition of right (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to do justice to : redress the injuries of so just is God to right the innocent— William Shakespeare

b : justify, vindicate felt the need to right himself in court

2 : avenge vows to right the injustice done to his family

3a : to adjust or restore to the proper state or condition right the economy

b : to bring or restore to an upright position right a capsized boat

intransitive verb

: to become upright

Other Words from right Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing right Learn More About right

Other Words from right

Adjective

rightness noun

Noun

rightmost \ ˈrīt-ˌmōst

\ adjective

Verb

righter noun

Choose the Right Synonym for right

Adjective

correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error. correct answers socially correct dress accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care. an accurate description exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth. exact measurements precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation. precise calibration nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination. makes nice distinctions right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault. the right thing to do

Examples of right in a Sentence

Adjective You can't treat me like this! It's not right! You were right to tell the teacher about the girl who you saw cheating. Telling the teacher was the right thing to do. “Is that clock right? Is it noon already?” “Yes. That's right.” There's something not quite right about his story. Their theory was proved right. Let me get this right—you want me to lend you $1,000?! You're right; the answer is six. I bet you like baseball. Am I right? Am I right in thinking that he should have never loaned her the money? Noun We discussed the rights and wrongs of genetic cloning. women fighting for equal rights Knowing the truth is her right. Adverb The keys are right where I said they would be. “Where are my keys?” “They're right here.” The bank is right next to the pharmacy. The parking lot is right in front of the building. He left his bags right in the middle of the floor. She was waiting right outside the door. The ball hit me right in the face. We arrived right at noon. You are right on time. When the boss yelled at him, he quit right then and there. Verb It was time to right an old wrong. No one can right all the wrongs in the world. The government needs to do something to right the economy. They righted the capsized boat. He quickly righted himself after he fell off the chair. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The chaos, the learning, the reminder of just every element of yourself, your soul, right? — Emily Burack, Town & Country, 20 Apr. 2022 Otherwise, what's the point in bringing kids into this world, right? — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 20 Apr. 2022 Otherwise, what's the point in bringing kids into this world, right? — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 20 Apr. 2022 There’s no movement behind Build Back Better really, right? — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2022 Without him, there’s no way the Jazz could lose this series, right? — Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Apr. 2022 Poole couldn’t really be that poised at age 22, right? — Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Apr. 2022 Although, a meal deal won't exactly make up for the countless hours that our mom spent taking care of us, who doesn't love a good deal, right? — Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 18 Apr. 2022 On the connection between the fight for equal pay in tennis and other movements: All of it's connected, right? — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Lucky Robot’s seared mushroom nigiri is delicious in its own right. — Aliza Abarbanel, Bon Appétit, 22 Apr. 2022 The Carrots logo has become a shorthand for the spirit of the collab in its own right, and not just in traditional streetwear or fashion. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2022 Politically, Abbott was getting assailed from the left and the right for his policy. — James Moore, CNN, 17 Apr. 2022 The hot-economy thesis has been a staple of Beltway economists from both the left and the right and has been frequently cited by Federal Reserve officials. — Jason Furman, WSJ, 12 Apr. 2022 This right was memorialized in a World Trade Organization agreement. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 9 Apr. 2022 And those issues have long confounded politicians on both the left and the right. — Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2022 Amid a flurry of condemnation from the left and right, Gosar denied being part of such an effort. — Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 2 Apr. 2022 Since 2007, Barclays had faced the risk of losing this right at least five times in the aftermath of issues from dark pool disclosures to foreign exchange manipulation, an analysis by Bloomberg News shows. — Sam Potter, Bloomberg.com, 1 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb The question is: Who will be answering the calls and is there a system in place with the capacity to take care of callers right way? — Benjamin F. Miller, STAT, 24 Apr. 2022 The Penguins doubled their lead less than 90 seconds later when Sidney Crosby passed the puck through traffic to Rickard Rakell only to get it back right at the net. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022 On the night of July 29, 2015, the Brewers, in the midst of a 68-win season and at the beginning of a rebuild, agreed to trade centerfielder Carlos Gómez to the New York Mets for right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler and infielder Wilmer Flores. — Curt Hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2022 Everything did go right for the No. 1 Plainfield boys, who beat Columbus North 152-119. — David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Apr. 2022 Isaac's house used to be to the east of Cinder Hills in Coconino County, right by U.S. 89 and Brandis Way. — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 23 Apr. 2022 From the looks of the trailer, the film looks like something right up our alley. — Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 23 Apr. 2022 In the same Le Monde interview, Jean-Marie regretted that his daughter had left the space to her right free for the taking—which was seen as a jab at her incompetence. — James Mcauley, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2022 From Lassen, take the long way along Highway 89 to Mount Shasta instead of shooting right over on Interstate 5. — Joe Jackson, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax had lost Games 1 and 2, which seemed impossible, so the Dodgers turned to Osteen to right the ship against the Minnesota Twins. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2021 The 49ers had been hoping to build on the previous Sunday’s win at Chicago, to right the ship and get some momentum. — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Nov. 2021 King was named interim coach after the Hawks fired Jeremy Colliton Saturday — three years to the day since Colliton’s hiring — to right the ship from a 1-9-2 start. — Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 7 Nov. 2021 Now the Hokies look to right the ship with a win over a feisty and capable Richmond Spiders team (2-1) in Week 4 of the college football season. — oregonlive, 25 Sep. 2021 Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers look to right their ship under the lights Monday night against a division rival. — Zack Jones, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2021 Witt slid toward the line, made the stop and then tried to right himself to make the throw home. — Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 9 Apr. 2022 Gustave, meanwhile, surrendered the lead two pitches into the fifth as Goldschmidt led off with a double and O'Neill roped a single to right that Avisaíl García overran -- a miscue that led to the ball rolling almost all the way to the wall. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Sep. 2021 Amir Garrett then struck out pinch-hitter Keston Hiura, but Peterson stole second and scored on Jackie Bradley Jr.'s single to right. — Rich Rovito, Star Tribune, 11 July 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'right.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of right

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for right

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English riht; akin to Old High German reht right, Latin rectus straight, right, regere to lead straight, direct, rule, rogare to ask, Greek oregein to stretch out

Noun

Middle English, from Old English riht, from riht, adjective

Learn More About right

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near right

Righi-Leduc effect

right

right-about

Statistics for right

Last Updated

23 Apr 2022

Cite this Entry

“Right.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right. Accessed 29 Apr. 2022.

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More Definitions for right

right

adjective

\ ˈrīt

Kids Definition of right

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : following or in accordance with what is just, good, or proper It's not right to lie.

2 : accurate, correct That's the right answer.

3 : suitable, appropriate He's the right person for the job.

4 : located on the side of the body away from the heart the right arm

5 : located nearer to the right side of the body than to the left the chair's right arm

6 : being or meant to be the side on top, in front, or on the outside The box landed right side up. Turn the socks right side out.

7 : in a normal or healthy state or condition I don't feel right today. That milk doesn't smell right.

8 : straight entry 1 sense 1 a right line

right

noun

Kids Definition of right (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : the ideal of what is just, good, or proper He hasn't learned right from wrong.

2 : something to which a person has a just claim the right to vote He has a right to be angry.

3 : the cause of truth or justice They fought for right.

4 : the right side : a part or location that is on or toward the right side My house is on the right.

right

adverb

Kids Definition of right (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : according to what is just, good, or proper She lives right.

2 : in the exact location, position, or moment : precisely It's right where you left it.

3 : in a direct line or course : straight Come right home.

4 : according to truth or fact You guessed right.

5 : in a suitable, proper, or desired way You're not doing it right.

6 : all the way We stayed right to the end of the game.

7 : without delay : immediately Let's go right after lunch.

8 : on or to the right turn right

9 : in a complete way He felt right at home here.

right away

: without delay : immediately The movie started playing right away.— R. J. Palacio, Wonder

right

verb

righted; righting

Kids Definition of right (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : to make better or more just If only we could right the world's wrongs.

2 : to adjust or restore to a proper state or condition

3 : to bring or bring back to an upright position I righted the books.

4 : to become upright The ship slowly righted again.

right

adjective

\ ˈrīt

Medical Definition of right

: of, relating to, or being the side of the body which is away from the heart and on which the hand is stronger in most people her right foot also : located nearer to this side than to the left

right

noun

\ ˈrīt \

Legal Definition of right

1a : qualities (as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval

b : something that is morally just able to distinguish right from wrong

2 : something to which one has a just claim: as

a : a power, privilege, or condition of existence to which one has a natural claim of enjoyment or possession the right of liberty that all men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights — Declaration of Independence — see also natural right

b : a power, privilege, immunity, or capacity the enjoyment of which is secured to a person by law one's constitutional rights

c : a legally enforceable claim against another that the other will do or will not do a given act the defendant may be under a legal duty…to exercise reasonable care for the plaintiff's safety, so that the plaintiff has a corresponding legal right to insist on that care— W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton

d : the interest that one has in property : a claim or title to property —often used in pl. leasing mineral rights — see also real right

e plural : the interest in property possessed (as under copyright law) in an intangible thing and especially an item of intellectual property obtained publishing rights

3 : a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price

of right

1 : as an absolute right

2 : demandable or enforceable under the law an appeal of right

Other Words from right

rightful \ -fəl

\ adjective

rightfully \ -fə-lē

\ adverb