incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce incorrect (audio)
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 adverb
incorrectness noun

Example Sentences

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 That was incorrect because only Black residents with a lineage to the period of slavery in America would be eligible, and reparations amounts would vary based on how long a person lives in the state. Dustin Gardiner, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 May 2023 Every now and then, a white rapper will stumble onto the (incorrect) assumption that their status as a minority within the subculture — a rarity for white men — is a suitable enough hardship. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 May 2023 Rick Esenberg, president and chief counsel of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the group that brought the drop box lawsuit, said interpretations of the ruling as having a retroactive effect on ballots cast in drop boxes are incorrect. Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 11 May 2023 However, this perk is an obstacle when precision and accuracy are mission critical, because LLMs will often present nonexistent sources or incorrect statements as fact. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2023 But there is *a lot* of misunderstanding and incorrect info out there surrounding how to lose arm fat. Ashley Mateo, Women's Health, 8 Apr. 2023 So to say this is about the current Court is incorrect given today's Court did not exist 11 years ago when Sen. Durbin first started speaking out about this issue. Joe Schoffstall, Fox News, 4 May 2023 The sheet contained examples from the newspaper of problematic — or just plain incorrect — grammar, usage and diction. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2023 Corrections & Clarifications: President Harry Truman's name was incorrect in an earlier version of this article. Dan Nowicki, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incorrect.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of incorrect was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near incorrect

Cite this Entry

“Incorrect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incorrect. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

incorrect

adjective
in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce incorrect (audio)
: not correct: as
a
: inaccurate, faulty
an incorrect copy
b
: not true : wrong
an incorrect answer
c
: not proper
incorrect behavior
incorrectly adverb
incorrectness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on incorrect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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