correct
kuh-REHKT
Correct (adj) means Free from mistakes; accurate or true. Example: “Is this the correct train for the coast, or should I change?”
adj
1
Free from mistakes; accurate or true.
"Is this the correct train for the coast, or should I change?"
"Your answer to the third question was correct."
"Make sure you have the correct address before you leave."
verb
1
To fix an error or make something right.
"Please correct me if I pronounce your name wrongly."
"The teacher corrected the students' spelling mistakes."
"He corrected his posture after the physio's advice."
How to use correct
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRight or accurate, or the act of fixing something that was wrong.
Common pairings
correct answer
correct a mistake
grammatically correct
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Word forms
- Plural
- corrects
- Third person singular
- corrects
- Past tense
- corrected
- Comparative
- more correct
- Superlative
- most correct
- Archaic forms
- correctedst, correctest, correcteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Is this the _____ train for the coast, or should I change?
Etymology
From Latin correctus, "made straight," from corrigere, "to make right" — from com- ("together") plus regere, "to rule or guide straight".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for correct
See all rhymes for correct →Frequently asked questions
What does “correct” mean?
The word “correct” means free from mistakes; accurate or true. In plain terms, right or accurate, or the act of fixing something that was wrong.
How do you pronounce “correct”?
“Correct” is pronounced kuh-REHKT (/kəˈɹɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “correct” in a sentence?
Here is “correct” used in a sentence: “Your answer to the third question was correct.”
What part of speech is “correct”?
Depending on how it is used, “correct” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “correct” come from?
The word “correct” comes from Latin. From Latin correctus, "made straight," from corrigere, "to make right" — from com- ("together") plus regere, "to rule or guide straight".
Is “correct” a common word?
“Correct” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “correct” have?
“Correct” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: free from mistakes; accurate or true.
What is the difference between 'correct' and 'right'?
'Correct' and 'right' both mean free from error, and are often interchangeable. 'Correct' leans toward matching an agreed standard or fact — the correct answer, correct spelling. 'Right' is broader and can also carry a moral sense, as in doing the right thing, a meaning that 'correct' does not share.
What is the difference between 'correct' and 'accurate'?
'Correct' means free from mistakes — it either is or isn't. 'Accurate' means close to the true value, and allows degrees of precision. A rounded figure can be correct yet not perfectly accurate. In everyday use they overlap, but 'accurate' emphasises exactness while 'correct' emphasises being right.
What is the opposite of 'correct'?
The direct opposite of 'correct' is 'incorrect', meaning containing errors. 'Wrong', 'mistaken', 'false', and 'inaccurate' are close alternatives depending on context. A wrong answer is incorrect; a false statement is untrue. Each captures a slightly different way of failing to be right.
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