correctly

correctly — adverb

1. An action or statement done correctly has no errors — it agrees with what is act

1.adverbB1
Definition

An action or statement done correctly has no errors — it agrees with what is actually true or with what the right answer should be.

Example

Hari correctly answered all ten questions on the geography quiz.

correctly + verb of mental action (answer, guess, note)

The accountant checked whether the figures were added correctly.

verb + object + correctly (were added correctly)

Common collocations
  • answer correctly
  • guess correctly
  • calculate correctly
  • identify correctly
  • note correctly
  • remember correctly
  • spell correctly
  • set up correctly
  • work correctly
Synonyms
  • accurately

    Emphasises freedom from factual error; common with measurements and descriptions.

  • precisely

    Suggests exactness down to the finest detail; stronger than 'correctly'.

  • right

    Informal alternative; not used in formal or academic writing.

Antonyms
  • incorrectly

    Direct opposite; with mistakes or errors.

  • wrongly

    Common in everyday speech; often implies a factual or moral error.

  • inaccurately

    Used when information or measurements are not exact.

Grammar Patterns

correctly + verb (e.g., answered correctly)

verb + object + correctly

correctly + that-clause

Usage Note

Frequently appears with verbs of thinking, speaking, or verifying: answer, guess, identify, note, remember, calculate. In negative constructions, 'not correctly' often implies partial error rather than complete wrongness.

Common Mistakes

She answered correct to the question.
She answered the question correctly.
'Correct' is an adjective; the adverb 'correctly' is needed to modify the verb 'answered'.
You didn't do it correct.
You didn't do it correctly.
After a verb, use the adverb form, not the adjective.

2. When you speak, behave, or dress correctly in a social situation, you follow the

2.adverbB2
Definition

When you speak, behave, or dress correctly in a social situation, you follow the accepted customs and standards that most people in that group consider proper and suitable.

Example

Dario knew how to behave correctly at a formal Japanese dinner with business partners.

correctly + manner of social conduct (behave, address, dress, greet)

In some cultures, you must address your elders correctly as a sign of respect.

Common collocations
  • behave correctly
  • dress correctly
  • address someone correctly
  • speak correctly
  • greet someone correctly
  • act correctly
Synonyms
  • properly

    The most natural near-synonym in everyday English; slightly less formal.

  • appropriately

    Focuses on suitability to a particular context; common in written advice.

  • suitably

    Weaker than 'correctly'; often implies good enough rather than exactly right.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + correctly (behave correctly)

verb + object + correctly (address someone correctly)

Usage Note

This sense is more formal than sense 1. It appears mainly with verbs describing social conduct (behave, dress, address, greet, speak). In everyday informal conversation, 'properly' or 'the right way' are more common alternatives.

Common Mistakes

You should dress correct for the interview.
You should dress correctly for the interview.
'Correctly' is the adverb needed after the verb 'dress'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four adverbs describe doing something without error, but they emphasise different aspects. Correctly is the broadest term — it simply means the result matches the right answer or standard, with no mistakes. Accurately focuses on truthfulness to real facts or measurements, so it is common with data, descriptions, and representations ('She reported the numbers accurately'). Precisely adds the idea of exactness down to fine details, often in technical or quantitative contexts ('The machine must be calibrated precisely'). Exactly implies a complete, point-for-point match — nothing is off, even slightly ('The copy matched the original exactly'). In everyday usage, correctly is the safest choice; precisely and exactly are stronger and more specific.

correctly ↗accurately ↗precisely ↗exactly ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • make sure (something is done) correctly
  • check if (something) is working correctly
  • behave correctly
  • dress correctly
  • answer correctly

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The adverb 'correctly' comes from the adjective 'correct', which entered English in the 14th century through French, from Latin 'correctus', the past participle of 'corrigere' — a combination of 'com-' (together, intensifier) and 'regere' (to lead straight, to guide). The original sense was 'to make straight or put right'. The adverbial suffix '-ly' was added to form 'correctly' by the late 16th century, initially carrying both the modern senses of factual accuracy and social propriety.