I. kə-ˈrekt transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin correctus, past participle of corrigere, from com- + regere to lead straight — more at right
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : to make or set right : amend
correct an error
b. : counteract , neutralize
correct a harmful tendency
c. : to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
correct a lens for spherical aberration
2.
a. : to punish (as a child) with a view to reforming or improving
b. : to point out usually for amendment the errors or faults of
spent the day correct ing tests
• cor·rect·able -ˈrek-tə-bəl adjective
• cor·rec·tor -ˈrek-tər noun
Synonyms:
correct , rectify , emend , remedy , redress , amend , reform , revise mean to make right what is wrong. correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects
correct your spelling
rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed
rectify a misguided policy
emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript
emend a text
remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil
set out to remedy the evils of the world
redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance
redress past social injustices
amend , reform , revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes
amend a law
reform implying drastic change
plans to reform the court system
and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes
revise the schedule
Synonym: see in addition punish .
II. 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 kə-ˈrek(t)-lē adverb
• cor·rect·ness -ˈrek(t)-nəs 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