correctly

UK: /kəˈrɛktli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cor•rect /kəˈrɛkt/   v. [~ + object]

1. to set or make right;
   remove the errors or faults from:
   The mechanic corrected the timing of the engine.
2. to point out or mark the errors in:
   to correct examination papers.
3. to make (a reply) so as to set something right:
   [used with quotations] "Mr. Holmes, come in please.'' "It's Castle, sir,'' I corrected.
4. to scold or punish in order to improve:
   Don't correct your child in public.
5. to work against the effect of (something undesirable):
   Her contact lenses correct her poor eyesight.

adj. 

6. conforming to fact or truth;
   accurate;
   without mistakes:
   Your answer was correct.
7. in accordance with an accepted standard;
   proper:
   correct behavior.

cor•rect•a•ble, cor•rect•i•ble, adj. 
cor•rect•ly, adv. 
cor•rect•ness, n. [uncountable]
cor•rec•tor, n. [countable] See -rect-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cor•rect  (kə rekt′), v.t. 

1. to set or make true, accurate, or right;
   remove the errors or faults from:
   The native guide corrected our pronunciation. The new glasses corrected his eyesight.
2. to point out or mark the errors in:
   The teacher corrected the examination papers.
3. to scold, rebuke, or punish in order to improve:
   Should parents correct their children in public?
4. to counteract the operation or effect of (something hurtful or undesirable):
   The medication will correct stomach acidity.
5. Physics [Math., Physics.] to alter or adjust so as to bring into accordance with a standard or with a required condition.

v.i. 

6. to make a correction or corrections.
7. Stock Exchange (of stock prices) to reverse a trend, esp. temporarily, as after a sharp advance or decline in previous trading sessions.

adj. 

8. conforming to fact or truth;
   free from error;
   accurate:
   a correct answer.
9. in accordance with an acknowledged or accepted standard;
   proper:
   correct behavior.

• Latin, as above
• French correct)
• Latin corrēctus past participle of corrigere to make straight, equivalent. to cor- cor- + reg- (stem of regere to direct) + -tus past participle suffix; (adjective, adjectival) (
• Anglo-French correcter)
• (verb, verbal) Middle English correcten (1300–50

cor•rect′a•ble, cor•rect′i•ble, adj. 
cor•rect′a•bil′i•ty, cor•rect′i•bil′i•ty, n. 
cor•rect′ing•ly, adv. 
cor•rect′ly, adv. 
cor•rect′ness, n. 
cor•rec′tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. rectify, amend, emend, reform, remedy.
• 3. warn, chasten, castigate. See punish. 
• 8. faultless, perfect, exact.
  Correct, accurate, precise imply conformity to fact, standard, or truth. A correct statement is one free from error, mistakes, or faults. An accurate statement is one that shows careful conformity to fact, truth, or spirit. A precise statement shows scrupulously strict and detailed conformity to fact.