incorrect
ihn-kuh-REHKT
Incorrect (adj) means Wrong or not accurate. Example: “The teacher marked the incorrect spelling with a small red circle.”
adj
1
Wrong or not accurate.
"The teacher marked the incorrect spelling with a small red circle."
"The answer he gave was incorrect."
"She noticed the invoice had an incorrect total."
2
Not proper or appropriate in behaviour.
"It is incorrect to start eating before the host has sat down."
"Her loud phone call in the quiet library was clearly incorrect behaviour."
"His comment was seen as incorrect at a formal dinner."
How to use incorrect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot right — either factually wrong or socially improper.
Common pairings
factually incorrect
grammatically incorrect
politically incorrect
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Word forms
- Plural
- incorrects
- Comparative
- more incorrect
- Superlative
- most incorrect
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The teacher marked the _____ spelling with a small red circle.
Etymology
From Middle French incorrect, built from in- ("not") plus correct.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for incorrect
See all rhymes for incorrect →Frequently asked questions
What does “incorrect” mean?
The word “incorrect” means wrong or not accurate. In plain terms, not right — either factually wrong or socially improper.
How do you pronounce “incorrect”?
“Incorrect” is pronounced ihn-kuh-REHKT (/ˌɪn.kəˈɹɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “incorrect” in a sentence?
Here is “incorrect” used in a sentence: “The answer he gave was incorrect.”
What is the opposite of “incorrect”?
The opposite of “incorrect” — its antonyms — are correct, right and proper.
What part of speech is “incorrect”?
“Incorrect” is an adjective.
Where does the word “incorrect” come from?
The word “incorrect” comes from Middle French. From Middle French incorrect, built from in- ("not") plus correct.
Is “incorrect” a common word?
“Incorrect” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “incorrect” have?
“Incorrect” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wrong or not accurate.
What is the difference between incorrect and wrong?
Both mean not right, but 'incorrect' is more formal and neutral, often used for factual errors, as in 'an incorrect answer'. 'Wrong' is more general and can also carry a moral sense, as in 'it was wrong to lie'.
What is the difference between incorrect and inaccurate?
Incorrect means simply not right or containing an error. Inaccurate specifically means not exact or close enough, so a figure can be inaccurate by being slightly off while still being roughly right, whereas incorrect points to a clear mistake.
When should you use 'incorrect' instead of 'improper'?
Use 'incorrect' for something factually wrong or inaccurate, such as a miscalculation. Use 'improper' for behaviour that is not suitable or acceptable, since although incorrect can also describe conduct that is not proper, 'improper' is the more natural choice for manners.
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