corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective punishment

corrective noun

correctively adverb

Synonyms

• amendatory
• rectifying
• remedial
• remedying
• reformative
• reformatory

Examples of corrective in a Sentence

She had corrective surgery on her knee this past summer.

People with bad eyesight usually need to wear corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump also would ultimately be in charge of the federal ethics office after inauguration and would be responsible for pursuing or authorizing any disciplinary or corrective action among his cabinet members. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2024

Some experts believed the shade was a refreshing corrective after pandemic hardships, war, and mass shootings. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Fortunately, Scott had enough good sense to trust his instincts in the face of corrective feedback that now sounds horribly misguided. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Dec. 2024

Biden failed to respond with any corrective truths or positive portrayals of immigrant families. —Julia Preston, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing corrective

• self-corrective

Kids Definition

corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: serving to correct : having the power of making right, normal, or regular

corrective lenses

corrective action

corrective noun

Medical Definition

corrective

1 of 2 adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective surgery

correctively adverb

corrective

2 of 2 noun

: a medication that removes undesirable or unpleasant side effects of other medication

phenobarbital acts as a corrective in overcoming the insomnia produced by ephedrine