correct

[kuh-rekt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR correct 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.

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

1300–50; (v.) Middle English correcten (< Anglo-French correcter) < Latin corrēctus past participle of corrigere to make straight, equivalent to cor- cor- + reg- (stem of regere to direct) + -tus past participle suffix; (adj.) (< French correct) < Latin, as above

Related formscor·rect·a·ble, cor·rect·i·ble, adjectivecor·rect·a·bil·i·ty, cor·rect·i·bil·i·ty, nouncor·rect·ing·ly, adverbcor·rect·ly, adverbcor·rect·ness, nouncor·rec·tor, nounre·cor·rect, verb (used with object)un·cor·rect·ed, adjectiveun·der·cor·rect, verb (used with object)well-cor·rect·ed, adjective

Synonyms for correct

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR correct ON THESAURUS.COM

1. rectify, amend, emend, reform, remedy. 3. warn, chasten, castigate. 8. faultless, perfect, exact.

Synonym study

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for correctly

justly, perfectly, rightly, nicely, accurately, properly, precisely, well, befittingly, decently, decorously, fitly, fittingly

Examples from the Web for correctly

Contemporary Examples of correctly

If you answered seven or more of these correctly, you are eligible for a lifetime supply of Metamucil.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz
Jeff Greenfield
December 31, 2014
Still, ISS correctly points out that Democrats get more votes down South than electoral outcomes suggest.
Seriously, Democrats: You’re Done in Dixie
Michael Tomasky
December 10, 2014
However, Martin redeemed himself when correctly guessing a fake expletive-laden clue read by Meyers.
Amy Poehler and George R.R. Martin Play Game of ‘Game of Thrones’
Alex Chancey
October 29, 2014
We asked one of the authors, Lisa Brosseau, if Will had correctly relayed her work.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: October 19
PunditFact.com
October 19, 2014
The only other option is to use laser-guided bombs, but even then the target has to be correctly indentified beforehand.
Air Force Pilots Say They're Flying Blind Against ISIS
Dave Majumdar
October 10, 2014

Historical Examples of correctly

I've always been taken with the chap; and I'm very glad you read him correctly.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
You have defined her character, my dear sir, as correctly as if you had known her from her birth.
Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit
Charles Dickens
I see, rather, that accounts which other people keep have been correctly kept.'
A Woman Intervenes
Robert Barr
In after years, it was carefully and correctly drawn in all its aspects.
Graham's Magazine Vol. XXXII No. 2. February 1848
Various
The possibility must exist to use it correctly in exchange for other goods.
Bremen Cotton Exchange
Andreas Wilhelm Cramer

British Dictionary definitions for correctly

correct

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 Formscorrectable 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

Word Origin and History for correctly

correct

mid-14c., "to set right, rectify" (a fault or error), from Latin correctus, past participle of corrigere "to put straight, reduce to order, set right;" in transferred use, "to reform, amend," especially of speech or writing, from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + regere "to lead straight, rule" (see regal). Originally of persons; with reference to writing, etc., attested from late 14c. Related: Corrected; correcting.

correct

adj.

1670s, from French correct "right, proper," from Latin correctus (see correct (v.)). Related: Correctly; correctness.

correctly in Medicine

correct

[kə-rĕkt′]

v.

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

adj.

Free from error or fault; true or accurate.

Idioms and Phrases with correctly

correct

see stand corrected.