correctness

American  

[kuh-rekt-nis] / kəˈrɛkt nɪs /

noun

1. conformity to fact or truth; freedom from error; accuracy.

   The correctness of the eyewitness’s account was later called into question.

2. the quality of being proper; conformity to an acknowledged or accepted standard.

   We are concerned with the correctness of our probationers' conduct.

3. the quality of being just or right in a judgment or opinion.

   We accepted the correctness of the tribunal’s ruling.

4. an indication of or adherence to a liberal or progressive ideology on matters of ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ecology, etc..

   A car strewn with Styrofoam cups is hardly a testimony to environmental correctness.

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Etymology

Origin of correctness

First recorded in 1670–90; correct ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

The former set the tone with unflappable correctness while his partner was more aggressive, and quick to punish bowling which began to err in line as the partnership grew.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

My father, a World War II officer and stickler for correctness, was especially proud of my medal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

In the early 1990s, the two men wrote for a campus publication, attacking what they saw as political correctness destroying American higher education.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

There will be no political correctness during Waters’ birthday show.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

And so the two fell to angry looks and hatred, although the elder, being proud of her correctness, would deal only in silent scorn, careful to ignore the other’s very presence.

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

Related Words

• civility
• decency
• decorum
• fitness
• rightness