correct
Other forms: corrected; correcting; corrects; correctingly
When something is true, legitimate or right, you can say it's correct, using the word as an adjective. It can also be a verb; to correct wrong answers is to adjust them to make them right.
The origin of correct can be found in the Latin word regere, "to guide," which became correctus as the past participle of corrigere, meaning "to straighten." When you correct your posture, you sit up straight. Sometimes when your cell phone tries to correct your spelling you can end up with some amusing sentences.
Definitions of correct
-
free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth“the correct answer”“the correct version”
-
synonyms:
right
-
accurate
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
-
accurate, exact, precise
(of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth ; strictly correct
-
letter-perfect, word-perfect
correct to the last detail; especially being in or following the exact words
-
straight
following a correct or logical method
-
proper
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
-
true
consistent with fact or reality; not false
-
Antonyms:
-
incorrect, wrong
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
-
inaccurate
not exact
-
erroneous
containing or characterized by error
-
fallacious
based on an incorrect or misleading notion or information
-
false, mistaken
arising from error
-
improper
not suitable or right or appropriate
-
false
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
- show more antonyms...
-
accurate
-
in accord with accepted standards of usage or procedure
-
socially right or correct
-
correct in opinion or judgment
-
synonyms:
right
-
right-minded
disposed toward or having views based on what is right
-
Antonyms:
-
wrong
based on or acting or judging in error
-
wrongheaded
obstinately perverse in judgment or opinion
- show more antonyms...
-
right-minded
-
make right or correct
-
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard“correct the alignment of the front wheels”
-
types:
- show 40 types...
- hide 40 types...
-
proportion
adjust in size relative to other things
-
modulate
adjust the pitch, tone, or volume of
-
temper
adjust the pitch (of pianos)
-
tune, tune up
adjust the pitches of (musical instruments)
-
calibrate, fine-tune, graduate
make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring
-
tune, tune up
adjust for (better) functioning
-
time
adjust so that a force is applied and an action occurs at the desired time
-
trim
adjust (sails on a ship) so that the wind is optimally used
-
zero, zero in
adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)
-
zero
adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value
-
readjust, reset
adjust again after an initial failure
-
attune
adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with
-
time
regulate or set the time of
-
set
set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly
-
modulate, regulate
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
-
focalise, focalize, focus, sharpen
put (an image) into focus
-
sync, synchronise, synchronize
make synchronous and adjust in time or manner
-
pressurise, pressurize
increase the pressure in or of
-
decompress, depressurise, depressurize
decrease the pressure of
-
fit, match
make correspond or harmonize
-
plumb
adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical
-
align, coordinate, ordinate
bring (components or parts) into proper or desirable coordination correlation
-
harmonise, harmonize, reconcile
bring into consonance or accord
-
linearise, linearize
make linear or get into a linear form
-
justify
adjust the spaces between words
-
citify
accustom to urban ways
-
coax
carefully manipulate, adjust, or bring to a desired state
-
reset
set to zero
-
fine-tune, tweak
adjust finely
-
refocus
put again into focus or focus more sharply
-
phase
adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition
-
puncture
cause to lose air pressure or collapse by piercing
-
scale down
reduce proportionally
-
scale up
increase proportionally
-
service
make fit for use
-
misalign
align imperfectly or badly
-
key
harmonize with or adjust to
-
advance, set ahead
move forward
-
tune in
regulate (a radio or television set) in order to receive a certain station or program
-
balance, equilibrate, equilibrise, equilibrize
bring into balance or equilibrium
-
treat a defect
-
adjust for“engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance”
-
synonyms:
compensate, counterbalance, even off, even out, even up, make up
-
types:
-
carry
compensate for a weaker partner or member by one's own performance
-
compensate, cover, overcompensate
make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities
-
type of:
-
balance, equilibrate, equilibrise, equilibrize
bring into balance or equilibrium
-
carry
-
censure severely
-
types:
-
flame
criticize harshly, usually via an electronic medium
-
type of:
-
bawl out, berate, call down, call on the carpet, chew out, chew up, chide, dress down, have words, jaw, lambast, lambaste, lecture, rag, rebuke, remonstrate, reprimand, reproof, scathe, scold, take to task, trounce, vituperate
censure severely or angrily
-
flame
-
punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience
-
make reparations or amends for
-
synonyms:
compensate, redress, right
-
Antonyms:
-
wrong
treat unjustly; do wrong to
-
types:
-
over-correct, overcompensate
make excessive corrections for fear of making an error
-
aby, abye, atone, expiate
make amends for
-
wrong
-
go down in value
Pronunciation
US
/kəˈrɛkt/
UK
/kəˈrɛkt/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘correct'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Look up correct for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
