rectify

verb

rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī 

rectified; rectifying

transitive verb

1

: to set right : remedy

2

: to purify especially by repeated or fractional distillation

rectified alcohol

3

: to correct by removing errors : adjust

rectify the calendar

4

: to make (an alternating current) unidirectional

rectification

ˌrek-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Did you know?

Don’t worry if you struggle with the word rectify—we’re here to set you straight. When you rectify something, you correct an error or make things right, which is fitting because rectify and correct both ultimately trace back to the Latin word regere, which can mean “to lead straight,” “to direct,” or “to rule.” Rectify has had its “to set right” meaning since the early 16th century, but the word has over the years accrued various other meanings as well, including the specialized uses “to purify especially by repeated or fractional distillation” (as in “rectified alcohol”), “to make (an alternating current) unidirectional,” and several medical applications having to do with healing of one kind or another. Regere plays a part in the histories of a number of familiar English words, in addition to those mentioned above; the many relatives of rectify include direct, resurrection, and regimen.

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for rectify

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

Examples of rectify in a Sentence

The hotel management promised to rectify the problem.

let me get the store manager, and he'll rectify the invoice for your order

Recent Examples on the Web

With this nuance, Catlett’s work both precedes and complements the work of these feminist theorists, rectifying a history of negative imagery against Black women. —Shameekia Shantel Johnson, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Leaving smelly shoes out in the open may be one of the root causes for an unwanted scent in your home, but thankfully, there's way to rectify the situation. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024

The account adjustment is a one-time initiative designed to provide borrowers with retroactive IDR credit to rectify longstanding historical problems with these plans, including misinformation and poor recordkeeping. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

The quiet period is designed to ensure that mistakes don’t accidentally disenfranchise legitimate voters ahead of an election without an opportunity to rectify the error. —Matthew Barakat, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rectifien, from Anglo-French rectifier, from Medieval Latin rectificare, from Latin rectus right — more at right

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

rectify

verb

rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī 

rectified; rectifying

: to set or make right

rectifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl

adjective

rectification

ˌrek-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

rectify

transitive verb

rec·​ti·​fy ˈrek-tə-ˌfī 

rectified; rectifying

1

: to purify (as alcohol) especially by repeated or fractional distillation

2

: to make (an alternating current) unidirectional