correct

1 of 2

verb

cor·​rect kə-ˈrekt 

corrected; correcting; corrects

transitive verb

1

a

: to make or set right : amend

correct an error

The editor corrected the author's manuscript.

b

: counteract, neutralize

correct a harmful tendency

c

: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition

correct a lens for spherical aberration

She's having surgery to correct her vision.

2

a

: to discipline or punish (someone) for some fault or lapse

… I was most rude then. Only a small boy, Sir, and I was corrected for it, I assure you, by my father …

—Rex Ingamells

b

: to point out usually for amendment the errors or faults of

spent the day correcting tests

correctable

kə-ˈrek-tə-bəl 

adjective

corrector

kə-ˈrek-tər 

noun

correct

2 of 2

adjective

1

: conforming to an approved or conventional standard

correct behavior

2

: conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or known truth

a correct response

3

: conforming to a set figure

enclosed the correct return postage

4

: conforming to the strict requirements of a specific ideology or set of beliefs or values

environmentally correct

spiritually correct

correctly

kə-ˈrek(t)-lē 

adverb

correctness

kə-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• amend
• debug
• emend
• rectify
• red-pencil
• reform
• remedy

Adjective

• accurate
• bang on [chiefly British]
• dead-on
• exact
• good
• on-target
• precise
• proper
• right
• so
• spot-on
• true
• veracious

Choose the Right Synonym for correct

Verb

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong.

correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes

amend a law

, reform implying drastic change

plans to reform the court system

, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

synonyms see in addition punish

Adjective

correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth.

correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers

socially correct dress

accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

Examples of correct in a Sentence

Verb

I hate it when she corrects my grammar.

Please correct your essay for punctuation errors.

Our teacher hasn't finished correcting our tests yet.

He corrects papers with a red pen.

We are finding ways to correct this difficult situation.

We'll correct the problem with the circuit as soon as possible.

These medicines are used for correcting chemical imbalances in the brain.

Adjective

What's the correct answer to this question?

Her watch never tells the correct time.

an anatomically correct drawing of the human body

Did I give you the correct change?

With the correct amount of water and sunlight, the plant will grow well.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Editor’s note: This story was updated Dec. 6, the same day as publication, to correct the spelling of Dorothée Chaoui-Derieux’s name. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024

If the previous sentence weren’t true, then always forward-looking U.S. (and global) stock markets would have already corrected in a way that would that would make 1929, 1987 and 2008 seem tame by comparison. —John Tamny, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Jess, Logan, Dean is the correct Rory Gilmore ranking — Bono and Dylan get it! —EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024

Add the correct amount of wool wash per the label direction. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin correctus, past participle of corrigere, from com- + regere to lead straight — more at right

Adjective

Middle English, corrected, from Latin correctus, from past participle of corrigere — see correct entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing correct

• all present and correct
• anatomically correct
• correct me if I'm wrong
• politically correct

Kids Definition

correct

1 of 2 verb

cor·​rect kə-ˈrekt 

1

a

: to make or set right

b

: counteract, neutralize

c

: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition

2

a

: rebuke entry 1, punish

b

: to indicate the faults or errors of and show how they can be made right

correct a student's composition

correctable

-ˈrek-tə-bəl 

adjective

corrector

-ˈrek-tər 

noun

correct

2 of 2 adjective

1

: meeting or agreeing with a particular standard

correct behavior

2

: agreeing with fact or known truth

the correct pronunciation

correctly

-ˈrek-(t)lē 

adverb

correctness

-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

correct

transitive verb

cor·​rect kə-ˈrekt 

: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition

correct a lens for spherical aberration

correctable

-ˈrek-tə-bəl 

adjective