adj.
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, corrected, from Latin correctus, from past participle of corrigere
Date: 1668
1 : conforming to an approved or conventional standard < correct behavior>
2 : conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or known truth <a correct response>
3 : conforming to a set figure <enclosed the correct return postage>
4 : conforming to the strict requirements of a specific ideology or set of beliefs or values <environmentally correct > <spiritually correct >
– cor · rect · ly \ k ə - ' rek(t)-l ē \ adverb
– cor · rect · ness \ - ' rek(t)-n ə s \ noun
synonyms CORRECT , ACCURATE , EXACT , PRECISE , NICE , RIGHT mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. CORRECT usually implies freedom from fault or error < correct answers> <socially correct dress>. ACCURATE implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care <an accurate description>. EXACT stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth < exact measurements>. PRECISE adds to EXACT an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation < precise calibration>. NICE stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination <makes nice distinctions>. RIGHT is close to CORRECT but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault <the right thing to do>.