right

adjective

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\ 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 pluralmineral 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 Learn More about right

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective With the game tied New Orleans facing a third-and-6, Brees found Thomas for a 24-yard, back-shoulder completion down the right sideline that helped set up the game-winning field goal. — Usa Today Sports, USA TODAY, "How to watch New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: Live stream, TV channel, kickoff time," 30 Nov. 2019 Ryan Arcidiacono, who has been slowed by a right elbow strain, also played. — Anne M. Peterson, chicagotribune.com, "Bulls lose again as Carmelo Anthony’s double-double leads the Trail Blazers to a 107-103 win," 30 Nov. 2019 Oregon rates right with the Utes and Huskies in physicality along both lines. — oregonlive, "Five reasons Oregon State could beat Oregon in Saturday’s 123rd Civil War, and the pick," 30 Nov. 2019 And though slowed by knee surgery after his remarkable 2008 US Open title win, Woods seemed destined to roar right past his countryman. — Rob Hodgetts, CNN, "Tiger Woods: A tumultuous 10 years from scandal to redemption," 30 Nov. 2019 Pankau hit Crawford on a shovel pass for 11 yards, then found Smith down the right sideline for 49 yards to pull the Tigers within 21-17 with 1:08 before halftime. — Chip Souza, Arkansas Online, "PHOTOS: North Little Rock pounds Bentonville," 30 Nov. 2019 For much of Koch’s 14-year career, his right leg has been a reliable tool for the Ravens, flipping field position for pedestrian offenses with an assortment of unique kicks. — Daniel Oyefusi, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens’ Sam Koch is on pace for an NFL record for fewest punts in a season. Sunday’s forecast could change that.," 30 Nov. 2019 Additionally, Antetokounmpo experienced a close call in the first half on Friday, stepping on Alfonzo McKinnie's foot and rolling his right ankle. — Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bucks 119, Cavaliers 110: Surviving a comeback scare," 29 Nov. 2019 Place the stacks next to each other leave a gap between them that is the right size so the pencil balances across them and the bag hangs freely. — Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, "Test the Strength of Hair," 28 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The fire union exercised that right in July after 19 meetings with city negotiators failed to produce a deal. — Joshua Fechter, ExpressNews.com, "Final contract talks between San Antonio officials and fire union to begin this week," 1 Dec. 2019 Just in Arkansas alone, there are around 600 kids whose parents’ rights were taken away for various reasons. — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE.com, "This Mom of 10 Shares the Joys and Challenges of Adopting from Foster Care," 1 Dec. 2019 The redshirt freshman ran for 142 yards in the game and broke a 56-yard touchdown right before halftime. — Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, "What we learned from Kentucky vs. Louisville: Kentucky's defense proves it is indeed elite," 30 Nov. 2019 The industry opposes both bills as interfering with owners’ rights to control their own property. — John Leland, New York Times, "Real Estate Thought It Was Invincible in New York. It Wasn’t.," 29 Nov. 2019 Walker didn’t reveal his plan until after he was elected in 2010, and the move sparked massive protests that made Wisconsin the center of a growing national fight over union rights. — Scott Bauer, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump impeachment drive has similarities to Wisconsin recall," 29 Nov. 2019 The Portrait Gallery also announced the winners of the triennial Outwin Portrait Competition, yielding works that touched on LBGTQ rights and activism, the Black Lives Matter movement and gun violence. — Beth Py-lieberman, Smithsonian, "Smithsonian Scholars Pick Their Favorite Books of 2019," 28 Nov. 2019 Anti-government protesters in the semi-autonomous Chinese city have long campaigned in favor of the bill -- which would permit Washington to impose sanctions or even suspend Hong Kong's special trading status over rights violations. — Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "Protesters celebrate a victory after Trump signs Hong Kong human rights act," 28 Nov. 2019 The movie also introduces a number of new animated creatures, which are probably already in your corner toy store and will make a mint in subsidiary rights for Lucasfilm Ltd., the Star Wars parent company. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "In defense of Star Wars' cuddliest creatures… or why you should show Porgs and Ewoks more love," 28 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Portable toilets will be available right before the start of the show, and at a midpoint pullout. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here's how to see the new 'Winter Wonders' drive-through holiday lights show at Boerner Botanical Gardens," 29 Nov. 2019 Hessels took Pohl’s findings as something of a personal challenge and worked to replicate the experiment—right down to the particular energy-level transition—using regular instead of muonic hydrogen. — Dan Falk, Scientific American, "Ultraprecise Measurement Pinpoints the Proton’s Size," 28 Nov. 2019 The Steam Autumn Sale kicked off this morning, and damn there are some pretty good deals right there on the front page. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "The Steam Autumn Sale's surprisingly steep game deals feel like the good ol' days," 26 Nov. 2019 The problem now is that telecommunications companies are interested in using parts of the spectrum right next to that water vapor signal. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "Could your next cell phone wreck our weather forecasts?," 26 Nov. 2019 The Radicals were right about nearly everything, and the moderates—who made a big show of caution and deference to the Constitution and generous accommodation to the office of the president—were plainly wrong. — Alex Pareene, The New Republic, "Making Impeachment Matter," 21 Nov. 2019 Getting that right can take a little more perfecting over time. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, "12 Best Hiking Backpacks for Every Outdoor Adventure," 20 Nov. 2019 The Playhouse’s shows are just right for happy holidays, as well. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "Theater tickets make a lasting gift," 18 Nov. 2019 Is my wife right by putting her foot down like this? — Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, "Dear Abby: Wife draws a line in the sand: No sex until he stops smoking," 18 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Watchmen is audacious enough to imagine sweeping legislation that tries to right historical injustices. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Watchmen Is a Blistering Modern Allegory," 21 Oct. 2019 The immediate need for the Black and Gold will be to regain normalcy — what has become an expectation on Causeway Street to compete for 100 points in the regular season — and try to right the wrong of June’s ending. — BostonGlobe.com, "Young Bruins hopefuls know they have to earn their way to Boston - The Boston Globe," 3 Oct. 2019 Yoga Play The new female CEO of a yoga-apparel giant tries to right the company’s ship in the wake of a scandal in Dipika Guha’s comedy. — Matt Cooper, Los Angeles Times, "Theater in L.A. this week: ‘Miss Saigon’ and more," 29 Sep. 2019 There’s a solid core of returners on the defensive side who will be trying to right the ship. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Deer can contend if defensive facelift produces results," 27 Aug. 2019 But GE Power will still need to cut prices and somehow fund itself while trying to right the ship, defend its market share and deter rivals. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "How GE Unraveled," 2 Oct. 2018 But the Kangaroos were able to right the ship and establish enough control down the stretch to garner the victory. — kansascity, "UMKC holds off Chicago State," 15 Feb. 2018 But the Musketeers might have righted the ship, and evidently, Steele’s recruiting has been good. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc's Morning Line: Why Xavier is the most consistently satisfying sports team in town," 13 Nov. 2019 Down the stretch: Now that the Cowboys’ ship has been righted, there’s a shot for at least eight victories, which isn’t bad after three losses during a four-game stretch. — Randy Peterson, USA TODAY, "Big 12 power rankings: Baylor and Oklahoma to settle No. 1 spot this week," 11 Nov. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

3 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Right.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=r&file=right001. Accessed 11 December 2019.

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More Definitions for right

right

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of right

(Entry 1 of 4)

: morally or socially correct or acceptable

: agreeing with the facts or truth : accurate or correct

: speaking, acting, or judging in a way that agrees with the facts or truth

right

noun

English Language Learners Definition of right (Entry 2 of 4)

: behavior that is morally good or correct

: something that a person is or should be morally or legally allowed to have, get, or do

: the legal authority to reproduce, publish, broadcast, or sell something

right

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of right (Entry 3 of 4)

: in the exact location, position, or moment that is mentioned

: in a direct course or manner

: in a way that agrees with the facts or truth

right

verb

English Language Learners Definition of right (Entry 4 of 4)

: to make (something) right : to correct (something wrong or unjust)

: to return (something) to a proper state or condition

: to put (something or someone) back in an upright position

See the full definition for right in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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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