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
7
a
: 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
11
a
: 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
rightness
noun
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
5
a
: 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
e
: a turn to the right
take a right at the stop sign
6
a
: 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
8
a
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
9
a
: 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
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
5
: according to fact or truth : truly
guessed right
6
a
: 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
righted; righting; rights
1
2
: avenge
vows to right the injustice done to his family
3
a
: 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
: to become upright
righter
noun
Synonyms
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
Dan Freedman, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
That’s right, the XGT is a street-legal Le Mans racer.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2023
The works that people think of as being originals are, essentially, the products of generations of replication, right?
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023
That's right: The viral Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm is 35% off for Cyber Monday.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Nov. 2023
Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Multi-Cooker, Red Stainless Steel
This is the most classic Instant Pot model and the best one for beginners—in a spunky red color that isn’t so classic but might be right for someone on your holiday shopping list.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023
Tony Totty, president of the union local at the Toledo powertrain plant, said the environment is right to seek more from the company.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Nov. 2023
Redshirt freshman running back Lucky Sutton continues to practice this week with a right knee brace, and his status for the game remains uncertain.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
This is the most classic Instant Pot model, and the best one for beginners—in a spunky red color that is not so classic, but that might be right for someone on your holiday shopping list.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 15 Nov. 2023
David Bloom, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
But the older man was a renowned investor in his own right, and responsible for shaping much of Buffett’s thinking over the course of his career.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023
The lawsuit accuses them of violating the plaintiff’s free speech rights and calls for, among other things, protecting her ability to participate in extracurricular activities and monetary damages for pain and suffering.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023
As strong a performer as Rogan’s show is, retaining exclusive distribution rights would cost a pretty penny.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 29 Nov. 2023
The suit accuses the officers of using excessive force, falsely arresting the plaintiffs and violating their constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
—CBS News, 28 Nov. 2023
Scotland has what some California politicians and advocates have long sought: a legal right to housing.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
The Background Artists Coalition, a group advocating for workers’ rights for background players, has criticized the union’s AI deal points and has asked leadership to release the full agreement.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023
Later, Guo was also a signatory to an online petition that circulated in favor of women’s rights.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
Josh Max, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
London is technically right behind Dubai with the second-highest number of high-end home deals in Q3.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
Nick, their son (played by Thaddeus J. Mixson), is right behind her.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023
Having my musical taste compared to a mass-market fall flavoring didn’t sit right.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2023
But as the luck of the Irish would have it, Kirsty MacColl was fortuitously available to take the piss right out of him.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Nov. 2023
Her lyric and melody was written from top to bottom in no more than an hour, right there on the spot.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Nov. 2023
The Netflix film — which also stars Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali and Kevin Bacon — follows Roberts and Hawke, 53, as parents who take their kids (Charlie Evans and Farrah Mackenzie) on a weekend trip right before a world disaster.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023
The two expensive, all-electric Orcas floating nearby fit right in here.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
With his blessing, Thein and her team began scrambling to right the ship.
—WIRED, 27 Oct. 2023
After two losing seasons, Bochy righted the ship in 2009 and a year later won his first World Series.
Melvin, who turns 62 on Saturday, observed Bochy’s postseason brilliance from underneath his shadow as manager of the Oakland Athletics from 2011-21.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
In recent years, the W has made an intention to right that discrepancy and, as a result, has seen an influx of former players being hired for head coaching roles.
—Condé Nast, SELF, 6 Nov. 2023
Along with May, a lifelong teetotaler, Mal struggled to keep the troops in order and working toward the common goal of righting Harry's career.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
The effort isn’t just to right a historical wrong but to bring the lessons of the Massachusetts witch trials into the modern era, Hutchinson said, arguing that witch hunts and witch-hunt-like behaviors are still pervasive.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2023
The courts aren’t responsible for righting colleges’ left-listing hiring practices, but the court of public opinion, which includes university donors, can and should pursue such efforts.
—WSJ, 29 Oct. 2023
In an effort to right the wrongs of the war on drugs, the city of Los Angeles created the Social Equity Program, which awarded a limited number of individuals with cultivation, manufacturing and retail licenses.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
See More
Adjective
However, the Angels must have been doing something right, as only eight teams had a larger valuation increase during that same time period.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
That’s right, the XGT is a street-legal Le Mans racer.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2023
The works that people think of as being originals are, essentially, the products of generations of replication, right?
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023
That's right: The viral Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm is 35% off for Cyber Monday.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Nov. 2023
Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Multi-Cooker, Red Stainless Steel
This is the most classic Instant Pot model and the best one for beginners—in a spunky red color that isn’t so classic but might be right for someone on your holiday shopping list.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023
Tony Totty, president of the union local at the Toledo powertrain plant, said the environment is right to seek more from the company.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Nov. 2023
Redshirt freshman running back Lucky Sutton continues to practice this week with a right knee brace, and his status for the game remains uncertain.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
This is the most classic Instant Pot model, and the best one for beginners—in a spunky red color that is not so classic, but that might be right for someone on your holiday shopping list.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 15 Nov. 2023
Noun
Leagues may need to take a bigger stake in their biggest content distributors for their most ardent fans, while maximizing their traditional strategies of spreading some live-game rights across distributors with national or international reach.
—David Bloom, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
But the older man was a renowned investor in his own right, and responsible for shaping much of Buffett’s thinking over the course of his career.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023
The lawsuit accuses them of violating the plaintiff’s free speech rights and calls for, among other things, protecting her ability to participate in extracurricular activities and monetary damages for pain and suffering.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023
As strong a performer as Rogan’s show is, retaining exclusive distribution rights would cost a pretty penny.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 29 Nov. 2023
The suit accuses the officers of using excessive force, falsely arresting the plaintiffs and violating their constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
—CBS News, 28 Nov. 2023
Scotland has what some California politicians and advocates have long sought: a legal right to housing.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
The Background Artists Coalition, a group advocating for workers’ rights for background players, has criticized the union’s AI deal points and has asked leadership to release the full agreement.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023
Later, Guo was also a signatory to an online petition that circulated in favor of women’s rights.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
Adverb
Part of the fun of walking around an event like this is seeing cars from different eras right up against each other.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
London is technically right behind Dubai with the second-highest number of high-end home deals in Q3.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
Nick, their son (played by Thaddeus J. Mixson), is right behind her.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2023
Having my musical taste compared to a mass-market fall flavoring didn’t sit right.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2023
But as the luck of the Irish would have it, Kirsty MacColl was fortuitously available to take the piss right out of him.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Nov. 2023
Her lyric and melody was written from top to bottom in no more than an hour, right there on the spot.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Nov. 2023
The Netflix film — which also stars Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali and Kevin Bacon — follows Roberts and Hawke, 53, as parents who take their kids (Charlie Evans and Farrah Mackenzie) on a weekend trip right before a world disaster.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023
The two expensive, all-electric Orcas floating nearby fit right in here.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
Verb
Of course, better times alone won’t right the world’s ship.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
With his blessing, Thein and her team began scrambling to right the ship.
—WIRED, 27 Oct. 2023
After two losing seasons, Bochy righted the ship in 2009 and a year later won his first World Series.
Melvin, who turns 62 on Saturday, observed Bochy’s postseason brilliance from underneath his shadow as manager of the Oakland Athletics from 2011-21.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
In recent years, the W has made an intention to right that discrepancy and, as a result, has seen an influx of former players being hired for head coaching roles.
—Condé Nast, SELF, 6 Nov. 2023
Along with May, a lifelong teetotaler, Mal struggled to keep the troops in order and working toward the common goal of righting Harry's career.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
The effort isn’t just to right a historical wrong but to bring the lessons of the Massachusetts witch trials into the modern era, Hutchinson said, arguing that witch hunts and witch-hunt-like behaviors are still pervasive.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2023
The courts aren’t responsible for righting colleges’ left-listing hiring practices, but the court of public opinion, which includes university donors, can and should pursue such efforts.
—WSJ, 29 Oct. 2023
In an effort to right the wrongs of the war on drugs, the city of Los Angeles created the Social Equity Program, which awarded a limited number of individuals with cultivation, manufacturing and retail licenses.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'right.' 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
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
First Known Use
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of right was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing right
Dictionary Entries Near right
Cite this Entry
“Right.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
right
1 of 4 adjective1
2
: following what is just, good, or proper
right conduct
3
: agreeing with facts or truth : correct
the right answer
4
: appropriate entry 2, suitable
the right person for the job
the right tool
5
: straight sense 1
a right line
6
7
a
: 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
the right leg
b
: located nearer to the right side of the body
the right arm of the chair
8
: being shaped in such a way that a line drawn from the middle of the top to the middle of the base is perpendicular to the base
a right cone
9
: being or meant to be the side on top, in front, or on the outside
landed right side up
right side out
10
: acting or judging in a way that agrees with truth or fact
time proved us right
11
: healthy in mind or body
did not feel right
12
: most worth having or seeking
the right neighborhoods
the right people
rightness
noun
right
2 of 4 noun1
: the ideal of what is just and good
2
: something to which one has a just claim
—often used in plural
the right to freedom of religion
the movie rights to a story
3
: something that one may properly claim as due
knowing the truth is her right
4
: the cause of truth or justice
fighting for right
5
a
: the right side or the part on the right side
b
: a turn to the right
take a right at the stop sign
6
: the quality or state of being factually correct
there's both right and wrong in that argument
7
often capitalized
: the members of a European legislative body sitting to the right of the officer in charge and holding more conservative political views than other members
8
often capitalized
: political conservatives
right
3 of 4 adverb1
: according to right
live right
2
: in the exact location or position : precisely
right where you left it
3
: in a suitable, proper, or desired manner
hold your pen right
4
: in a direct line or course
go right home
5
: according to fact or truth : truly
guess right
heard right
6
: all the way
windows right to the floor
7
: without delay : immediately
right at 2 o'clock
8
: to a great degree : very
a right pleasant day
right
4 of 4 verb1
: to make right (something wrong or unjust)
2
a
: to adjust or restore to the proper state or condition
b
: to bring or restore to an upright position
3
: to become upright
righter
noun
Medical Definition
right
adjective
: 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
adverb
Legal Definition
right
nounˈrīt
1
a
: 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
Declaration of Independence
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
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
Etymology
Noun
Old English riht, from riht righteous
More from Merriam-Webster on right
Nglish: Translation of right for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of right for Arabic Speakers
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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