corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective punishment

corrective noun

correctively adverb

Synonyms of corrective

• reformative
• beneficial
• remedial

Examples of corrective in a Sentence

She had corrective surgery on her knee this past summer.

People with bad eyesight usually need to wear corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Recent Examples on the Web

Project Perception functions as an orchestration layer with red agents identifying potential attack paths, blue agents investigating and imbuing security context, and green agents taking corrective action and strengthening defense posture. — Will Townsend, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

If schools show two consecutive years of disproportionate enforcement, CSDE will step in and recommend corrective actions. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026

Importantly, the robot maintained stable locomotion throughout testing, showing that the AI controller could effectively harness passive energy stored in the compliant feet without introducing instability or excessive corrective movements. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

While taxiing on the water, the seaplane reportedly veered left and failed to respond to corrective efforts before striking a dock and sinking in approximately 100 feet of water. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing corrective

• self-corrective

Rhymes for corrective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective
• injective

Kids Definition

corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: serving to correct : having the power of making right, normal, or regular

corrective lenses

corrective action

corrective noun

Medical Definition

corrective

1 of 2 adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective surgery

correctively adverb

corrective

2 of 2 noun

: a medication that removes undesirable or unpleasant side effects of other medication

phenobarbital acts as a corrective in overcoming the insomnia produced by ephedrine