incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt 

1

a

: not true : wrong

incorrect answers

b

: inaccurate, faulty

an incorrect transcription

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

Synonyms

• mistaken
• wrong

Examples of incorrect in a Sentence

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

Several times, Parrish loaded an incorrect amount and his pump wouldn’t accept the insulin. —Elaine Chen, STAT, 17 July 2024

The catch: Their group shares the $1 million prize money, which shrinks with each incorrect guess. —Rendy Jones, EW.com, 13 July 2024

An earlier version of this story had incorrect viewing time totals for Hit Man and Grey’s Anatomy. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2024

Each incorrect guess counts toward the mistake tally. —Kendra Stanton Lee, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing incorrect

• politically incorrect

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