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correct

[kuh-rekt]
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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.
  3. to scold, rebuke, or punish in order to improve: Should parents correct their children in public?
  4. to counteract the operation or effect of (something hurtful or undesirable): The medication will correct stomach acidity.
  5. Mathematics, Physics. to alter or adjust so as to bring into accordance with a standard or with a required condition.
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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.
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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.
  3. 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.
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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

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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. 2018

Related Words

justlyperfectlyrightlynicelyaccuratelyproperlypreciselywellbefittinglydecentlydecorouslyfitlyfittingly

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British Dictionary definitions for correctly

correct

verb (tr)
  1. to make free from errors
  2. to indicate the errors in
  3. to rebuke or punish in order to set right or improveto correct a child; to stand corrected
  4. to counteract or rectify (a malfunction, ailment, etc)these glasses will correct your sight
  5. to adjust or make conform, esp to a standard
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adjective
  1. free from error; true; accuratethe correct version
  2. in conformity with accepted standardscorrect behaviour
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Derived Formscorrectable or correctible, adjectivecorrectly, adverbcorrectness, nouncorrector, noun

Word Origin

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

v.

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.

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correct

adj.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
correctly in Medicine

correct

(kə-rĕkt′)
v.
  1. To remove, remedy, or counteract something, such as a malfunction or defect.
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adj.
  1. Free from error or fault; true or accurate.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with correctly

correct

see stand corrected.

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