correct
Verbcorrects, correcting, corrected
Formscorrects, correcting, corrected
Pluralcorrects
- 1Having no mistakes and matching what is true or right.
Like a key that fits the lock perfectly.
Her answer was correct, so she got full marks.
Make sure the spelling is correct before you send the email.
Oppositewrong, incorrect, inaccurate
- 2
- 3To tell someone that they have made a mistake.
Like a friend telling you that you spelled their name wrong.
Don't correct your teacher in front of the whole class.
She corrected him politely when he got the date wrong.
UsageSay correct me if I'm wrong when you are not sure.
- 4Said to show that you agree or that an answer is right.
Like saying "yes, exactly" to show someone is right.
"Is this the way to the station?" "Correct."
"You're the new manager?" "Correct, I started today."
UsageThat's right is a less formal reply.
SimilarOK
- 5Behaving in a polite way that follows the rules people expect.
Like following all the table manners your parents taught you.
His behavior was perfectly correct at the formal dinner.
She is always polite and correct with her elders.
UsageIt can suggest that someone is polite without being very friendly.
Similarwell-behaved, well-mannered
Oppositeuncouth
Less common meanings
- 6
- 7To punish someone in order to improve their behavior.
Like a coach making a player run laps for breaking the rules.
Long ago, teachers would correct lazy pupils with a cane.
The old teacher corrected unruly pupils harshly.
Similardiscipline, punish, chastise, reprimand
- 8In a way that is right and has no mistakes.
You guessed correct that time.
Did I say your name correct?
UsageIn writing, use correctly: spell it correctly.
Similarright, accurately, properly
- 9A right answer, one that has no mistakes.
After the one-minute drill, she counted her corrects and her mistakes.
His score sheet showed twenty corrects and three errors.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
It came from French correct, from Latin correctus, meaning improved or made right.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- English correct came from French correct, ultimately from Latin correctus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin correctus means improved or made right. en.wiktionary.org
It goes back to the Latin word correctus. That became correcter in Anglo-Norman, a kind of French once used in England, and then correcten in Middle English.