correct

[ kuh-rekt ]

/ kəˈrɛkt /

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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.

Nearby words

corrade, corral, corrasion, corrasive, correa, correct, correcting plate, correction, correction fluid, correctional, correctional facility

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

SYNONYMS FOR correct

1 rectify, amend, emend, reform, remedy.

3 warn, chasten, castigate.

8 faultless, perfect, exact.

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Related forms

cor·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, adverb

cor·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

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
Name them all correctly, and with the year in which they were grown.
The American Flower Garden Directory|Thomas Hibbert
Be it remembered that the Sahib's shirts are correctly enumerated, and that there is an extra piece of soap in his washbasin.
Life's Handicap|Rudyard Kipling
So, too, mark the care with which injuries are remedied by what has been correctly called the vis medicatrix.
The Fallen Star; and, A Dissertation on the Origin of Evil|E. L. Bulwer; and, Lord Brougham
Moreover, the passes in ascending the Andes and Cordillera can only be correctly imagined by experienced travellers.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The method of percolation is now preferred by all who have made sufficient trial of it to apply it correctly.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for correctly

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 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 (1 of 2)

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.

Word Origin and History for correctly (1 of 2)

correct

adj.

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

correct

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

adjective

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Origin of correct

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for correctly

British Dictionary definitions for correctly

correct

verb (tr)

adjective

Word Origin for correct

Word Origin and History for correctly (1 of 2)

correct

Word Origin and History for correctly (1 of 2)

correct

Medicine definitions for correctly

correct

v.

adj.

Idioms and Phrases with correctly

correct