verb
Uncommon
rectify
REHK-tuh-feye
Rectify (verb) means to correct a mistake or fix a problem. Example: “The company promised to rectify the billing error immediately.”
verb
1
To correct a mistake or fix a problem.
"The company promised to rectify the billing error immediately."
"He tried to rectify his reputation after the scandal."
2
In electronics, to convert alternating current into direct current.
"A diode is used to rectify the AC signal in the circuit."
How to use rectify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fix or correct something that is wrong.
Common pairings
rectify a mistake
rectify the situation
rectify an error
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- rectifies
- Past tense
- rectified
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company promised to _____ the billing error immediately.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin rectificare, "to make right," from Latin rectus ("straight, right").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rectify
See all rhymes for rectify →Frequently asked questions
What does “rectify” mean?
The word “rectify” means to correct a mistake or fix a problem. In plain terms, to fix or correct something that is wrong.
How do you pronounce “rectify”?
“Rectify” is pronounced REHK-tuh-feye (/ˈɹɛktəˌfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rectify” in a sentence?
Here is “rectify” used in a sentence: “The company promised to rectify the billing error immediately.”
What part of speech is “rectify”?
“Rectify” is a verb.
Where does the word “rectify” come from?
The word “rectify” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin rectificare, "to make right," from Latin rectus ("straight, right").
Is “rectify” a common word?
“Rectify” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rectify” have?
“Rectify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to correct a mistake or fix a problem.
