correctness

American  

[kuh-rekt-nis] / kəˈrɛkt nɪs /

noun

1. conformity to fact or truth; freedom from error; accuracy.

   The correctness of the eyewitness’s account was later called into question.

2. the quality of being proper; conformity to an acknowledged or accepted standard.

   We are concerned with the correctness of our probationers' conduct.

3. the quality of being just or right in a judgment or opinion.

   We accepted the correctness of the tribunal’s ruling.

4. an indication of or adherence to a liberal or progressive ideology on matters of ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ecology, etc..

   A car strewn with Styrofoam cups is hardly a testimony to environmental correctness.

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Etymology

Origin of correctness

First recorded in 1670–90; correct ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

This is an edited extract from Trigger Warnings: Political Correctness and the Rise of the Right by Jeff Sparrow, published by Scribe on 1 October.

From The Guardian • Sep. 30, 2018

Overall, many commentators on this issue seem simply weary of Political Correctness.

From Time • Oct. 29, 2013

I'll go ahead and predict that the New Era of Political Correctness will be shorter-lived than the "death of irony" we witnessed after 9/11.

From Slate • Jan. 10, 2011

Mottoes proclaim, the thoughts of pious Mr. Robinson in words like these: "Honesty and Truthfulness combined with Speed and Correctness are necessary to make good Business Men and Women."

From Time Magazine Archive

Correctness of tone cannot be learnt except by oral instruction.

From Myths and Legends of China by Werner, E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers)

Related Words

• civility
• decency
• decorum
• fitness
• rightness