corrected; correcting; corrects
1
a
: to make or set right : amend
correct an error
The editor corrected the author's manuscript.
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
She's having surgery to correct her vision.
2
a
: to discipline or punish (someone) for some fault or lapse
… I was most rude then. Only a small boy, Sir, and I was corrected for it, I assure you, by my father …—
Rex Ingamells
Rex Ingamells
b
: to point out usually for amendment the errors or faults of
spent the day correcting tests
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
Examples of correct in a Sentence
Verb
I hate it when she corrects my grammar.
Please correct your essay for punctuation errors.
Our teacher hasn't finished correcting our tests yet.
He corrects papers with a red pen.
We are finding ways to correct this difficult situation.
We'll correct the problem with the circuit as soon as possible.
These medicines are used for correcting chemical imbalances in the brain.
Adjective
What's the correct answer to this question?
Her watch never tells the correct time.
an anatomically correct drawing of the human body
Did I give you the correct change?
With the correct amount of water and sunlight, the plant will grow well.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
Well, Self seems to be correct.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for correct
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Verb
At first the dog was said to be a German shepherd mix confined in a closet, but this was later corrected to being an Australian kelpie mix in a crate.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Then there's carefully monitoring multiple loads to make sure every item is washed and dried at the correct temperature.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
Well, Self seems to be correct.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for correct
Cite this Entry
“Correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correct. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
correct
1 of 2 verb
cor·rect
kə-ˈrekt 
1
a
: to make or set right
b
c
: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
2
a
b
: to indicate the faults or errors of and show how they can be made right
correct a student's composition
correct
2 of 2 adjective1
: meeting or agreeing with a particular standard
correct behavior
2
: agreeing with fact or known truth
the correct pronunciation
Medical Definition
correct
transitive verb
cor·rect
kə-ˈrekt
: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
correct a lens for spherical aberration
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