correct

[ kuh-rekt ]
See synonyms for: correctcorrectedcorrectingcorrects on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to set or make true, accurate, or right; remove the errors or faults from: The native guide corrected our pronunciation. The new glasses corrected his eyesight.

  2. to point out or mark the errors in: The teacher corrected the examination papers.

  1. to scold, rebuke, or punish in order to improve: Should parents correct their children in public?

  2. to counteract the operation or effect of (something hurtful or undesirable): The medication will correct stomach acidity.

  3. Mathematics, Physics. to alter or adjust so as to bring into accordance with a standard or with a required condition.

verb (used without object)
  1. to make a correction or corrections.

  2. (of stock prices) to reverse a trend, especially temporarily, as after a sharp advance or decline in previous trading sessions.

adjective
  1. conforming to fact or truth; free from error; accurate: a correct answer.

  2. in accordance with an acknowledged or accepted standard; proper: correct behavior.

  1. (of a judgment or opinion) just or right: I feel this decision is correct because of the defendant’s age.

  2. characterized by or adhering to a liberal or progressive ideology on matters of ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ecology, etc.: Is it environmentally correct to buy a real Christmas tree?Most of the judges in this district have correct political views.

Origin of correct

1
First recorded in 1300–50; (verb) Middle English correcten, from Anglo-French correcter, from Latin corrēctus (past participle of corrigere “to make straight, set right”) equivalent to cor- cor- + reg- (stem of regere “to keep straight, make straight, guide” ( see direct) + -tus past participle suffix; (adjective) from French correct, from Latin, as above

synonym study For correct

3. See punish. 8. Correct, accurate, precise imply conformity to fact, standard, or truth. A correct statement is one free from error, mistakes, or faults. An accurate statement is one that shows careful conformity to fact, truth, or spirit. A precise statement shows scrupulously strict and detailed conformity to fact.

Other words for correct

Other words from correct

  • cor·rect·a·ble, cor·rect·i·ble, adjective
  • cor·rect·a·bil·i·ty, cor·rect·i·bil·i·ty, noun
  • cor·rect·ly, adverb
  • cor·rect·ness, noun
  • cor·rec·tor, noun
  • re·cor·rect, verb (used with object)
  • un·cor·rect·ed, adjective
  • well-cor·rect·ed, adjective

Words Nearby correct

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use correct in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for correct

correct

/ (kəˈrɛkt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to make free from errors

  2. to indicate the errors in

  1. to rebuke or punish in order to set right or improve: to correct a child; to stand corrected

  2. to counteract or rectify (a malfunction, ailment, etc): these glasses will correct your sight

  3. to adjust or make conform, esp to a standard

adjective
  1. free from error; true; accurate: the correct version

  2. in conformity with accepted standards: correct behaviour

Origin of correct

1
C14: from Latin corrigere to make straight, put in order, from com- (intensive) + regere to rule

Derived forms of correct

  • correctable or correctible, adjective
  • correctly, adverb
  • correctness, noun
  • corrector, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with correct

correct

see stand corrected.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.