correct

/kəˈrɛkt/

/kəˈrɛkt/

Other forms: corrected; correcting; corrects; correctingly

When something is true, legitimate or right, you can say it's correct, using the word as an adjective. It can also be a verb; to correct wrong answers is to adjust them to make them right.

The origin of correct can be found in the Latin word regere, "to guide," which became correctus as the past participle of corrigere, meaning "to straighten." When you correct your posture, you sit up straight. Sometimes when your cell phone tries to correct your spelling you can end up with some amusing sentences.

Definitions of correct

1. adjective

   free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth
   “the correct answer”

   “the correct version”

   synonyms: right

   accurate

   conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy

   accurate, exact, precise

   (of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth ; strictly correct

   letter-perfect, word-perfect

   correct to the last detail; especially being in or following the exact words

   straight

   following a correct or logical method

   proper

   marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

   true

   consistent with fact or reality; not false

   antonyms:

   incorrect

   not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

   inaccurate

   not exact

   erroneous

   containing or characterized by error

   fallacious

   based on an incorrect or misleading notion or information

   false, mistaken

   arising from error

   improper

   not suitable or right or appropriate

   false

   not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
2. adjective

   in accord with accepted standards of usage or procedure
   synonyms: right

   proper

   marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
3. adjective

   socially right or correct
   “correct behavior”

   synonyms: right

   proper

   marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
4. adjective

   correct in opinion or judgment
   synonyms: right

   right-minded

   disposed toward or having views based on what is right
5. verb

   make right or correct
   “Correct the mistakes”

   synonyms: rectify, right

   antonyms:

   falsify

   falsify knowingly

   types:

   amend, rectify, remediate, remedy, repair

   set straight or right

   debug

   locate and correct errors in a computer program code

   type of:

   change by reversal, reverse, turn

   change to the contrary
6. verb

   alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
   “correct the alignment of the front wheels”

   synonyms: adjust, set

   types:

   proportion

   adjust in size relative to other things

   modulate

   adjust the pitch, tone, or volume of

   temper

   adjust the pitch (of pianos)

   tune, tune up

   adjust the pitches of (musical instruments)

   calibrate, fine-tune, graduate

   make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring

   tune, tune up

   adjust for (better) functioning

   time

   adjust so that a force is applied and an action occurs at the desired time

   trim

   adjust (sails on a ship) so that the wind is optimally used

   zero, zero in

   adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)

   zero

   adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value

   readjust, reset

   adjust again after an initial failure

   attune

   adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with

   time

   regulate or set the time of

   set

   set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly

   modulate, regulate

   fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of

   focalise, focalize, focus, sharpen

   put (an image) into focus

   sync, synchronise, synchronize

   make synchronous and adjust in time or manner

   pressurise, pressurize

   increase the pressure in or of

   decompress, depressurise, depressurize

   decrease the pressure of

   fit, match

   make correspond or harmonize

   plumb

   adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical

   align, coordinate, ordinate

   bring (components or parts) into proper or desirable coordination correlation

   harmonise, harmonize, reconcile

   bring into consonance or accord

   linearise, linearize

   make linear or get into a linear form

   justify

   adjust the spaces between words

   citify

   accustom to urban ways

   coax

   carefully manipulate, adjust, or bring to a desired state

   reset

   set to zero

   fine-tune, tweak

   adjust finely

   refocus

   put again into focus or focus more sharply

   phase

   adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition

   puncture

   cause to lose air pressure or collapse by piercing

   scale down

   reduce proportionally

   scale up

   increase proportionally

   service

   make fit for use

   misalign

   align imperfectly or badly

   key

   harmonize with or adjust to

   advance, set ahead

   move forward

   tune in

   regulate (a radio or television set) in order to receive a certain station or program

   balance, equilibrate, equilibrise, equilibrize

   bring into balance or equilibrium

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
7. verb

   treat a defect
   “The new contact lenses will correct for his myopia”

   type of:

   care for, treat

   provide treatment for
8. verb

   adjust for
   “engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance”

   synonyms: compensate, counterbalance, even off, even out, even up, make up

   types:

   carry

   compensate for a weaker partner or member by one's own performance

   compensate, cover, overcompensate

   make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

   type of:

   balance, equilibrate, equilibrise, equilibrize

   bring into balance or equilibrium
9. verb

   censure severely
   synonyms: castigate, chasten, chastise, objurgate

   types:

   flame

   criticize harshly, usually via an electronic medium

   type of:

   bawl out, berate, call down, call on the carpet, chew out, chew up, chide, dress down, have words, jaw, lambast, lambaste, lecture, rag, rebuke, remonstrate, reprimand, reproof, scathe, scold, take to task, trounce, vituperate

   censure severely or angrily
10. verb

    punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience
    synonyms: discipline, sort out

    type of:

    penalise, penalize, punish, sanction

    impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on
11. verb

    make reparations or amends for
    synonyms: compensate, redress, right

    types:

    over-correct, overcompensate

    make excessive corrections for fear of making an error

    aby, abye, atone, expiate

    make amends for

    type of:

    alter, change, modify

    cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
12. verb

    go down in value
    “the stock market corrected”

    synonyms: decline, slump

    type of:

    come down, descend, fall, go down

    move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way