correct

[ kuh-rekt ]

/ kəˈrɛkt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: correct / corrected / correcting / corrects on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.

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

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

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

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

verb (used without object)

to make a correction or corrections.

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

adjective

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

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

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

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR correct

1 rectify, amend, emend, reform, remedy.

3 warn, chasten, castigate.

8 faultless, perfect, exact.

See synonyms for correct on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of correct

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 FROM correct

cor·rect·a·ble, cor·rect·i·ble, adjectivecor·rect·a·bil·i·ty, cor·rect·i·bil·i·ty, nouncor·rect·ly, adverbcor·rect·ness, noun

cor·rec·tor, nounre·cor·rect, verb (used with object)un·cor·rect·ed, adjectivewell-cor·rect·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use correct in a sentence

I realized in that moment shoes as gifts are uncommon because they’re so hard to get correct because of size, and no one likes returning and exchanging gifts.
Xesto is a foot scanning app that simplifies shoe gifting|Natasha Lomas|November 20, 2020|TechCrunch
The opportunity to talk colugo with local residents and correct misconceptions is one of the reasons Miard likes to study colugos in villages.
On a cool night in Malaysia, scientists track mysterious colugos across the treetops|Yao-Hua Law|November 20, 2020|Science News
However, you are correct about not answering unidentified numbers.
Hints From Heloise: Framing family memories|Heloise Heloise|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
That’s precisely why it’s the government’s job to step in and correct these market failures.
Why we should be funding more Solyndras|Amy Nordrum|November 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review

A new theory of gravity was underway, he said, and as soon as he could prove it correct, “your inspired investigations into the foundations of mechanics … will receive a splendid confirmation.”
When Einstein Tilted at Windmills - Issue 93: Forerunners|Amanda Gefter|November 18, 2020|Nautilus
The misidentification has since been corrected, and The Daily Beast regrets the error.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos|Michael Daly|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Editor's Note: This story has been corrected, two quotes that appeared due to an editor's error have been removed.
Commando Colonel Accused of Exposing his Lover to HIV|Jacob Siegel|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The article have been corrected to reflect that Rosenmarkle deployed with the Army to Iraq but did not serve in Afghanistan.
The U.S. Veteran and Wisconsin Boy Who Went to Fight ISIS in Syria|Jacob Siegel|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her ads contain several inaccurate assertions of fact (not opinion) that should be corrected.
To Fight Pam Geller, Join Our Comedy Jihad at the MTA|Dean Obeidallah|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It has since been corrected in the body of the article to reflect this.
2016 Just May Be the GOP Base’s Year|Lloyd Green|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I knew he was pleased, because whenever he corrected me he would say, "Nein, Kindchen" in such a gentle way!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Whenever the contrary is heard from anyone, he is corrected, admonished, and punished—by myself if he is a secular.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Obvious printing errors have been corrected, while minor irregularities in the spelling have been retained.
Remarks on a Pamphlet Lately published by the Rev. Mr. Maskelyne,|John Harrison
This was a great hardship to banks, and has been corrected in many states by statutes and by the courts in others.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Mere clerical errors or mistakes in describing it may be corrected even after it has been destroyed.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for correct

correct

/ (kəˈrɛkt) /

verb (tr)

to make free from errors

to indicate the errors in

to rebuke or punish in order to set right or improveto correct a child; to stand corrected

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

to adjust or make conform, esp to a standard

adjective

free from error; true; accuratethe correct version

in conformity with accepted standardscorrect behaviour

Derived forms of correct

correctable or correctible, adjectivecorrectly, adverbcorrectness, nouncorrector, noun

Word Origin for correct

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

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

Medical definitions for correct

correct

[ kə-rĕkt′ ]

To remove, remedy, or counteract something, such as a malfunction or defect.

adj.

Free from error or fault; true or accurate.

Other Idioms and Phrases with correct

correct

see stand corrected.

correct

OTHER WORDS FOR correct

Origin of correct

synonym study for correct

OTHER WORDS FROM correct

Words related to correct

How to use correct in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for correct

Derived forms of correct

Word Origin for correct

Medical definitions for correct

Other Idioms and Phrases with correct