correct

[ kuh-rekt ]

/ kəˈrɛkt /

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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

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of correct

First recorded in1300–50; (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. 2023

How to use correct in a sentence

Both the Sense and Versa 3 also correct some major flaws in earlier Fitbit watches, as well.
Fitbit debuts new smartwatches that track how stressed the owners are|Aaron Pressman|August 25, 2020|Fortune
You can also call up the keyboard to correct the Note20’s conversion of your handwriting if the technology made any mistakes.
Samsung Note20 Ultra review: Why this big phone works for the COVID era|Aaron Pressman|August 18, 2020|Fortune
You didn’t give women the right to vote, you corrected your mistake in ever denying us.
Melinda Gates, Ai-jen Poo, and 9 more women on what the 19th Amendment’s 100th anniversary means to them|ehinchliffe|August 18, 2020|Fortune
One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make is failing to include the correct categories.
Guide: How to structure a local SEO strategy for your business|Christian Carere|August 6, 2020|Search Engine Watch

Both these methods claim their result is correct and very precise, so their difference cannot simply be a statistical fluke.
Dark Energy: Map Gives Clue About What It Is—but Deepens Dispute About the Cosmic Expansion Rate|Julian Bautista|July 31, 2020|Singularity Hub
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
The journalists were, quite correctly, writing about the principals in the case: Amanda, Meredith, Raffaele, Rudy Guede.
Amanda Knox: A Mother’s Obsession|Nina Darnton|November 26, 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
You will grant that the individual in the controversy would likely be able to judge more correctly with regard to values?
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
This is essential, otherwise it is impossible to play double notes correctly in tune.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
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
I have the following note on the subject in the 'Zoologist' for 1866, which gives the time of their arrival pretty correctly.
Birds of Guernsey (1879)|Cecil Smith
Benevolence—or more correctly speaking, a universal affection—was one of his chief characteristics.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

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

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with correct