Correct — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /kə-ˈrekt/ cor·rect

Meaning & Definition of Correct

Correct (verb)

  1. to make or set right, amend
  2. counteract, neutralize
  3. to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition

Correct (adjective)

  1. conforming to an approved or conventional standard
  2. conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or known truth
  3. conforming to a set figure

Correct (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard

    "a real brainteaser with only one correct solution to it"

    similar: accurate, bang on (chiefly British), dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, proper, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious, on target, on the money
    related: legitimate, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect, rigorous, strict, stringent
    opposite: false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong
    near: defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

  2. following the established traditions of refined society and good taste

    "painfully correct dress for the state dinner at the White House"

    similar: befitting, de rigueur, decent, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly
    related: acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable, dress, dressy, formal, dignified, elegant, gracious, priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy, apt, material, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted
    opposite: improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly
    near: intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, casual, grungy, informal, seedy, shabby, tacky, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful

  3. marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details

    "the correct method for folding the American flag"

    similar: ceremonious, decorous, formal, nice, proper, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted
    related: sober, solemn, stately, chivalrous, courtly, gallant, genteel, polished, refined, civil, courteous, polite, red-carpet
    opposite: casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious
    near: improper, indecorous, unmannerly, discourteous, impolite, rude

Correct (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to remove errors, defects, deficiencies, or deviations from

    "more time will be needed to correct the computer program"

    similar: amend, debug, emend, rectify, red-pencil, reform, remedy
    related: redraft, redraw, restyle, revise, rework, rewrite, blue-pencil, cut, shorten, redress, right, ameliorate, better, improve, perfect, polish, touch up, fix, mend, repair, adjust, modulate, regulate, alter, change, modify
    near: damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, spoil, aggravate, worsen

  2. to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective

    "hopefully the young entrepreneur's professionalism will serve to correct his partner's extreme enthusiasm in the eyes of investors"

    similar: annul, cancel (out), compensate (for), counteract, counterbalance, counterpoise, make up (for), negative, neutralize, offset
    related: invalidate, negate, neuter, nullify, atone (for), outbalance, outweigh, redeem, redress, relieve, remedy, override, overrule

  3. to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime

    "an insensitive boss who liked to correct subordinates in front of their colleagues"

    similar: castigate, chasten, chastise, discipline, penalize, punish
    related: assess, charge, dock, fine, impose, levy, mulct, convict, sentence, condemn, damn, denounce, criticize, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reprove, wreak
    opposite: excuse, pardon, spare
    near: forfeit, get off, ransom, release, commute, reprieve, absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

Related Entry: Politically correct (adjective)

Politically correct is a different word from Correct. The synonyms below are for politically correct, not for correct.

  1. as in indisputable, unquestionable

    similar: hands-down, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, undeniable, unquestionable, certain, definite, positive, sure, noncontroversial, safe, uncontroversial, uncontested, undisputed, irrefutable
    opposite: controversial, hot-button, arguable, contestable, controvertible, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, moot, questionable, debated, disputed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Correct

The most common words with a similar meaning to Correct:

Chiefly British: bang on
accurate, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, proper, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious, befitting, de rigueur, decent, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, respectable, seemly, ceremonious, formal, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted, on target, on the money, amend, debug, emend, rectify, red-pencil, reform, remedy, annul, cancel (out), compensate (for)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Correct

Words with the opposite meaning of Correct:

false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong, inappropriate, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly, casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious, excuse, pardon, spare

Related Words for Correct

legitimate, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect, rigorous, strict, stringent, acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable, dress, dressy, dignified, elegant, gracious, priggish, prim, stuffy, apt, material, relevant

Near Antonyms of Correct

defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect, intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, grungy, seedy, shabby, tacky, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful, unmannerly, discourteous, impolite, rude, damage, harm, hurt, impair

Word Forms of Correct

Inflections: corrected, correcting, corrects

Derived words: correctable (adjective), corrector (noun), correctly (adverb), correctness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Correct

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

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Correct

Words & Phrases Containing Correct

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Correct

What does "Correct" mean?

"Correct" means to make or set right, amend. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to make or set right, amend. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Correct"?

Other words for "Correct" include accurate, bang on, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise and proper. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Correct" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Correct"?

There are 155 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Correct". Common alternatives include accurate, bang on, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, proper, right and so.

What is the opposite of "Correct"?

Antonyms of "Correct" include false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue and wrong. Near antonyms include defective, faulty, flawed and imperfect.

How do you use "Correct" in a sentence?

Examples of "Correct" in a sentence: "a real brainteaser with only one correct solution to it"; "painfully correct dress for the state dinner at the White House"; "the correct method for folding the American flag".

Is "Correct" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Correct" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Correct" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Correct" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Correct"?

"Correct" is pronounced /kə-ˈrekt/ and divided into syllables as cor·rect.