wrong
RONG
Wrong (adj) means Incorrect or not true. Example: “That answer is wrong; the capital of Australia is Canberra, not Sydney.”
adj
1
Incorrect or not true.
"That answer is wrong; the capital of Australia is Canberra, not Sydney."
"I was wrong about the time, so we arrived an hour early."
"If your sum is wrong, check each step again."
2
Morally bad or unjust.
"It's wrong to lie to your friends."
"Stealing from a shop is wrong, even if nobody sees you."
"Most people feel it is wrong to laugh at someone's mistakes."
3
Not functioning properly; not as it should be.
"Something is wrong with the engine — it keeps stalling."
"Something went wrong with the printer, so it will not switch on."
"Is anything wrong with your phone? It keeps turning itself off."
noun
1
An unjust or immoral act.
"He tried to right the wrongs of his past."
"The teacher taught the children the difference between right and wrong."
"Cruelty to animals is a wrong that the law takes seriously."
verb
1
To treat someone unfairly or unjustly.
"She felt she had been wronged by her former business partner."
"You wrong your brother when you accuse him without any proof."
"The customer felt wronged by the shop when it refused a refund."
How to use wrong
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot correct, not working properly, or morally bad — plus a verb meaning to treat someone unfairly.
Common pairings
go wrong
in the wrong
wrong turn
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Word forms
- Plural
- wrongs
- Third person singular
- wrongs
- Past tense
- wronged
- Comparative
- more wrong
- Superlative
- most wrong
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
That answer is _____; the capital of Australia is Canberra, not Sydney.
Etymology
From Old Norse rangr, "crooked, wrong" — related to "wring", from an idea of something twisted out of true shape.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wrong
See all rhymes for wrong →Frequently asked questions
What does “wrong” mean?
The word “wrong” means incorrect or not true. In plain terms, not correct, not working properly, or morally bad — plus a verb meaning to treat someone unfairly.
How do you pronounce “wrong”?
“Wrong” is pronounced RONG (/ˈɹɔŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wrong” in a sentence?
Here is “wrong” used in a sentence: “That answer is wrong; the capital of Australia is Canberra, not Sydney.”
What is another word for “wrong”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wrong” include injurious, unjust, faulty, detrimental, unfit and unsuitable.
What is the opposite of “wrong”?
The opposite of “wrong” — its antonyms — is right.
What part of speech is “wrong”?
Depending on how it is used, “wrong” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “wrong” come from?
The word “wrong” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse rangr, "crooked, wrong" — related to "wring", from an idea of something twisted out of true shape.
Is “wrong” a common word?
“Wrong” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the opposite of wrong?
In the sense of incorrect, the opposite of "wrong" is "right" or "correct," matching the facts or the truth. "Wrong" can also mean morally bad, and there its opposite is "right" in the ethical sense, or "good." Which opposite applies depends on whether you mean factually mistaken or morally at fault.
What is the difference between wrong and incorrect?
Both mean not true or not right, and they often overlap. "Incorrect" is more formal and factual, typical of tests, forms, and technical writing, as in "an incorrect answer." "Wrong" is more everyday and can carry a stronger, sometimes moral, edge, as in "you got it wrong." In most factual contexts, they are interchangeable.
Is 'wrong' always about facts?
No. The definition here is "incorrect or not true," as in a wrong answer. But "wrong" has a second common sense, morally bad or unjust, as in "stealing is wrong." Context makes the meaning clear: a wrong number is a factual mistake, while a wrong act is an ethical judgment.
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