wrong
wrong — verb
1. to cause harm or injury to someone by acting unjustly toward them, or by failing
to cause harm or injury to someone by acting unjustly toward them, or by failing to give them what they deserve
Theo felt his boss had wronged him by promoting someone with less experience.
wronged by [someone] — passive pattern
Nia wronged her friend by sharing a secret that was not meant for others.
wrong + noun phrase (direct object)
Daichi was wronged by the landlord, who raised the rent without warning.
passive: be wronged by [someone]
Jabari wronged his brother by taking the credit for their joint project.
- wrong + someone
- feel wronged
- wronged by [person/institution]
- wrong a friend
- treat fairly
to act with justice toward someone
- honour
to keep one's promises or treat someone with deserved respect
Grammar Patterns
wrong + noun phrase (the person or group harmed)
Usage Note
Transitive verb — always takes a person or group as its object. Frequently used in the passive voice (be wronged by). More common in formal or literary English than in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
wrong — noun
1. the quality or category of actions, ideas, or behaviour that goes against what m
the quality or category of actions, ideas, or behaviour that goes against what most people in a society believe is good, honest, or fair.
Young children need to be taught the difference between right and wrong at home.
right and wrong — the fixed noun pair
Hana believes that every society must agree on basic ideas of right and wrong.
Ravindra felt that a wrong done to the poorest people should bother everyone.
wrong done to [someone] — passive structure with 'to'
The judge said the case was about right and wrong, not about money.
- right and wrong
- tell right from wrong
- know right from wrong
- sense of right and wrong
- distinguish right from wrong
- wrong done to someone
- evil
stronger and more serious than 'wrong'; implies deliberate malice
- immorality
more formal and abstract; 'wrong' is the everyday term
- wrongdoing
refers to specific acts rather than the abstract quality
Grammar Patterns
right and wrong
tell/know right from wrong
sense of right and wrong
Usage Note
As an uncountable noun, 'wrong' is almost always used alongside 'right' in fixed phrases such as 'right and wrong', 'know right from wrong', or 'a sense of right and wrong'. It rarely appears alone without 'right' as an uncountable noun unless a qualifier ('moral wrong') or a preposition ('wrong done to') is added.
Common Mistakes
2. an action that treats someone in a way that is not just, causes them harm, or fa
an action that treats someone in a way that is not just, causes them harm, or fails to respect their legal rights.
Diego suffered a great wrong when the company fired him without any warning.
suffer a wrong — verb collocation
The newspaper wrote about the wrongs committed against factory workers during the strike.
wrongs committed against [victim] — plural + passive particple
Gabriela went to court to seek justice for the wrong done to her family.
Anjali tried to right the wrong by returning the wallet she had found.
right the wrong — verb collocation meaning to fix an injustice
- suffer a wrong
- commit a wrong
- do someone a wrong
- right a wrong
- wrongs against humanity
- wrong done to someone
- great wrong
- terrible wrong
Grammar Patterns
do + someone + a wrong
wrong + against + [person/group]
wrong + done to + [person/group]
suffer + a wrong
Usage Note
As a countable noun, 'wrong' refers to a specific unjust event rather than the abstract concept of wrongdoing. It frequently appears with verbs like 'suffer', 'commit', 'do', and 'right' (to fix). The preposition 'against' introduces the victim ('wrongs against humanity'). This sense is more formal and literary than everyday speech.
Common Mistakes
in the wrong
idiomin a position where you have made a mistake, committed an illegal act, or are responsible for causing a problem.
When the car accident happened, both drivers claimed the other was in the wrong.
Naoko admitted she was in the wrong and apologised for the misunderstanding.
The committee concluded that the manager was clearly in the wrong and should resign.
wrong — adjective
1. used to describe a fact, answer, or piece of information that is not accurate or
used to describe a fact, answer, or piece of information that is not accurate or true.
The answer Ignacio gave on the maths test was wrong, so the teacher marked it with a red X.
wrong as predicate after 'be' for a fact
Bilal copied the address into his notebook, but the street name was wrong.
Jiwoo checked her phone and realised she had the wrong date for the meeting.
the + wrong + noun for an incorrect selection
The map showed the wrong direction, so the hikers ended up at the lake instead of the mountain.
Jude gave the wrong phone number, and the courier could not reach him.
the + wrong + noun for an incorrect detail
- the wrong answer
- the wrong date
- the wrong number
- proved wrong
- wrong address
- incorrect
more formal than 'wrong'; often used in academic or technical contexts
- inaccurate
focuses on lack of precision rather than outright error
Grammar Patterns
be wrong
the wrong + noun
Usage Note
Frequently occurs in the fixed expression 'the wrong [noun]' to indicate that a particular item or detail is not the correct one for the purpose.
Common Mistakes
2. having a belief, opinion, or idea about someone or something that does not match
having a belief, opinion, or idea about someone or something that does not match the facts.
Iris was sure she had locked the front door, but her mother proved she was wrong.
Ishaan thought the film started at eight, but he was wrong — it was seven thirty.
pattern: be wrong + about a stated fact
Ayana told us she was wrong about the bus schedule and apologised for the delay.
pattern: be wrong about + noun phrase
Eitan was convinced it would rain all day, but the sunny afternoon proved him wrong.
- wrong about the time
- wrong about someone's intentions
- wrong in thinking
- mistaken
slightly more formal; emphasises that the error belongs to the person's reasoning
- off the mark
informal; suggests the guess or estimate was not accurate
- right
the common opposite for everyday judgments and opinions
Grammar Patterns
be wrong about + noun/pronoun
be wrong in + -ing form
Usage Note
Often takes the preposition 'about' to specify the topic of the mistaken belief. The pattern 'be wrong in thinking that…' is also common in more formal English.
Common Mistakes
3. used when a person's actions or achievements demonstrate that a negative opinion
used when a person's actions or achievements demonstrate that a negative opinion or expectation someone had about them was not accurate.
Everyone said Nila would fail the driving test, but she proved them wrong by passing on her first try.
collocation: 'prove someone wrong' with demonstrative action
The critics called the book boring, yet its huge sales showed them to be wrong.
After months of training, Ignacio finished the race in first place and proved his doubters wrong.
collocation: 'prove + possessive + doubters wrong'
The new chef expected customers to leave bad reviews, but the full restaurant showed him to be wrong.
- prove someone wrong
- show someone to be wrong
- demonstrate to be wrong
- incorrect in one's estimate
formal; rarely used in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
prove + object + wrong
show + object + to be wrong
Usage Note
This sense appears almost exclusively in the complement slot after verbs like 'prove', 'show', or 'demonstrate'. It is not used alone as a simple predicate (do not say 'he is wrong' to mean this sense).
Common Mistakes
4. refers to a thing or action that does not fit a given situation, intended use, o
refers to a thing or action that does not fit a given situation, intended use, or expected state.
Christopher put on a suit for the beach party, but it was the wrong choice of clothing.
collocation: 'the wrong choice' for an unsuitable selection
The oven temperature was wrong, so the cake did not rise properly.
Something was wrong with the printer, and the documents came out with blank pages.
pattern: 'something is wrong with [thing]' for malfunction
Tyler picked the wrong key to unlock the door and had to try the other one.
- wrong choice
- wrong time
- wrong place
- wrong size
- wrong colour
- wrong with the car
- wrong with the machine
- unsuitable
more formal; directly means not fitting for the purpose
- inappropriate
often carries a social judgment similar to sense 5; use with care
- suitable
the direct opposite — fitting for the purpose or situation
- appropriate
correct or right for the particular occasion
Grammar Patterns
the wrong + noun for + noun phrase
something is wrong with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Use 'the wrong [noun]' to say a particular item is unsuitable for its intended use. Use 'something is wrong with [noun]' to indicate a fault or problem — this is a very common spoken pattern.
Common Mistakes
5. describes behaviour or speech that goes against the accepted standards of polite
describes behaviour or speech that goes against the accepted standards of politeness or propriety in a particular social situation.
Apinya felt it was wrong to talk loudly on the phone during the funeral service.
pattern: 'it is wrong to + infinitive' for social judgment
In some cultures, it is considered wrong to wear shoes inside someone's home.
The teacher told the students it was wrong to laugh at someone else's mistake.
pattern: 'it is wrong to + infinitive' for social rules
At the formal dinner, Jiwoo felt it was wrong to start eating before the host.
- wrong to interrupt
- wrong to wear
- wrong to say
- feel it is wrong
- considered wrong
- acceptable
allowed or approved by social standards
- appropriate
suitable for the particular social setting
Grammar Patterns
it is wrong to + infinitive
feel it is wrong to + infinitive
Usage Note
Distinguish from the b2 batch sense 'morally unacceptable' (about ethics and conscience). This sense is about social convention and politeness — what is considered rude or improper in a given setting, not about universal right and wrong.
Common Mistakes
6. used in questions or statements to ask about or describe a problem, difficulty,
used in questions or statements to ask about or describe a problem, difficulty, or cause of unhappiness that someone has.
Sahil noticed that Élise had been quiet all evening and asked her what was wrong.
pattern: 'ask someone what is wrong' for expressing concern
The dog kept whining by the door, and Ingrid knew something was wrong.
Eleni looked at her daughter's unhappy face and could tell something was wrong.
pattern: 'tell something is wrong' for intuition
Ava knew something was wrong when she saw her brother's worried face at the door.
- what is wrong
- something wrong
- anything wrong
- nothing wrong
- wrong with him
- wrong with the plan
- the matter
used interchangeably in 'What's the matter?' — equally common for expressing concern
- amiss
formal; 'something is amiss' is less common in everyday conversation
Grammar Patterns
what is wrong?
something is wrong
what is wrong with + noun phrase
ask + noun + what is wrong
Usage Note
This sense is almost always used with the verbs 'be', 'seem', or 'look'. The question phrase 'What's wrong?' is a fixed expression used to show concern, not to request factual information. The pattern 'something is wrong with [person/thing]' can also indicate a problem.
Common Mistakes
7. describes an object positioned with its front side where the back normally sits
describes an object positioned with its front side where the back normally sits — for instance, a shirt worn with the tag in front
Christopher wore his sweater the wrong way around and only noticed at dinner.
collocation: the wrong way around
The photo was printed the wrong way around, so everyone in the picture looks reversed.
Linh hung the calendar the wrong way around, and Noa laughed when she saw it.
The jacket label was sewn the wrong way around, so the brand name faces inward.
- the wrong way around
- the wrong way round
- correct side
the proper orientation
- right way around
the expected orientation of an object
Grammar Patterns
noun + the wrong way around
the wrong way around/round
Usage Note
In American English, 'the wrong way around' is more common than 'the wrong way round'. This sense is almost always used after the noun it modifies, not before it.
8. going against what most people in a community or society consider to be morally
going against what most people in a community or society consider to be morally acceptable — for example, cheating, lying to harm someone, or stealing
Hui believes it is wrong to lie to customers just to make a sale.
pattern: it + be + wrong + to-infinitive
The newspaper reported several wrong practices at the food factory that shocked local residents.
Beatriz told her little brother that taking money from their mother's purse was wrong.
The principal told the students that bullying a classmate is wrong in any situation.
- morally wrong
- wrong to do something
- wrong practices
- it is wrong
Grammar Patterns
it + be + wrong + to-infinitive
wrong + noun
be + wrong + of + person + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 5 (NOT SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE) in the first adjective batch: sense 5 refers to behaviour that breaks social rules or etiquette (e.g. wearing casual clothes to a wedding), while this sense refers to behaviour that breaks ethical or moral standards (e.g. stealing, lying).
Common Mistakes
9. describes a machine, piece of equipment, or system that is not operating normall
describes a machine, piece of equipment, or system that is not operating normally
The coffee machine went wrong again, so Imran bought drinks from the cafe downstairs.
collocation: go wrong (of a machine)
Something is wrong with the oven — the food comes out raw on one side.
pattern: something is wrong with [noun]
Something is wrong with Nila's laptop — half the keys do not respond.
The vending machine on the second floor went wrong and swallowed Felix's coins.
- go wrong
- something is wrong with
- wrong with the machine
- wrong with the system
- broken
more common and general; implies the machine cannot be used at all
- faulty
more formal; suggests a manufacturing defect or design flaw
- malfunctioning
more formal; often used in technical or official contexts
Grammar Patterns
something + be + wrong
something + go + wrong
there + be + something + wrong + with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1 (NOT CORRECT) and sense 6 (SOMETHING WRONG) from the first batch, this sense applies specifically to machines and systems. The natural way to express this is 'go wrong' (for a single event) or 'something is wrong with [machine]' (for a state). This sense does NOT take a that-clause.
Common Mistakes
back the wrong horse
idiomTo support a person or thing that fails or is not successful.
Mina backed the wrong horse when she invested in that startup.
Did you back the wrong horse by supporting that candidate?
To have a mistaken idea or to be looking for something in the wrong place.
If you think I stole your wallet, you're barking up the wrong tree.
The police were barking up the wrong tree when they arrested the neighbor.
Coming from or living in a poor or less respected part of a town.
Despite coming from the wrong side of the tracks, she became a successful lawyer.
He grew up on the wrong side of the tracks but never forgot his roots.
To begin a relationship in a good or bad way.
I got off on the wrong foot with my new boss by arriving late.
They started off on the right foot by having a friendly chat.
To make someone pleased or annoyed with you.
He got on the wrong side of the teacher by talking during class.
Sara got on the right side of her boss by finishing the project early.
To be in a bad mood for the whole day for no clear reason.
Brian must have gotten out of bed on the wrong side today.
Did you get out of bed on the wrong side? You seem grumpy.
To misunderstand a situation or what someone has said.
I think you got the wrong end of the stick about my comment.
She got hold of the wrong end of the stick and thought I was angry.
To do or say something that is suitable or unsuitable for a particular occasion.
The comedian struck the wrong note with his offensive jokes.
Her speech hit the right note and moved the audience to tears.
Almost correct or accurate.
Your guess was not far off; the answer is 99.
The estimate of 200 people was not far wrong.
Younger or older than a particular age, usually 40 or 50.
She is on the right side of 40, still full of energy.
He is on the wrong side of 50 and thinking about retirement.
Thinking or acting in a way that is correct or incorrect.
The scientists are on the right track to find a cure.
The detective was on the wrong track when he suspected the butler.
In trouble with the police or involved in illegal activities.
He spent his youth on the wrong side of the law.
The businessman ended up on the wrong side of the law for tax evasion.
To annoy or irritate someone, often unintentionally.
His constant joking rubbed his colleagues up the wrong way.
Did I rub you up the wrong way with my comment?
To be offended by a remark that was not meant to be offensive.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but your shirt is wrinkled.
She took his joke the wrong way and stopped talking to him.
wrong — adverb
1. used after an action verb to say that a result contains errors or is not as it o
used after an action verb to say that a result contains errors or is not as it ought to be — for example, spelling a word wrong or reading a sign wrong.
Yasmin spelled my surname wrong on the wedding invitation.
verb + wrong — spelling wrong
The delivery driver read the street name wrong and left the package next door.
verb + wrong — reading wrong
Owen added the numbers wrong, so the total was about two thousand dollars less.
Linh copied the phone number wrong and could not reach the clinic.
- spell wrong
- read wrong
- add wrong
- write wrong
- do wrong
- say wrong
- incorrectly
more formal; used in written or careful speech
- inaccurately
suggests a lack of precision rather than a full error
Grammar Patterns
verb + wrong
Usage Note
Follows the verb directly — do not place an adverb like 'very' or 'quite' between the verb and 'wrong'.
Common Mistakes
2. making an error in how you answer a question or understand what someone says or
making an error in how you answer a question or understand what someone says or means — typically used with 'get' or 'have'.
I got the final question wrong because I misread the date in the passage.
get + object + wrong — answering
Tara thought the meeting was on Tuesday, but she had the day wrong.
You have understood me wrong — I never said the project was cancelled.
understand + object + wrong
The students got the history question wrong because the textbook had a misprint.
- get wrong
- have wrong
- understand wrong
- misunderstand
emphasises the comprehension error; more formal
- mistake
used as a verb; 'I mistook her meaning'
Grammar Patterns
get + noun phrase + wrong
have + noun phrase + wrong
Usage Note
Commonly occurs in the fixed expression 'get something wrong' to mean 'misunderstand'. Compare with sense 4, which is a more general statement of error.
Common Mistakes
3. used to describe a plan, event, or situation that does not develop as expected a
used to describe a plan, event, or situation that does not develop as expected and instead becomes unpleasant or unsuccessful.
Everything went wrong on our wedding day — it rained and the band did not show up.
go wrong — situation fails
The business deal went wrong when the main investor pulled out at the last minute.
Their camping trip went wrong after a wildfire forced them to leave the forest early.
The interview went wrong when Valentina realised she was in the wrong building.
- go wrong
- things go wrong
- something goes wrong
Grammar Patterns
go + wrong
Usage Note
Only used for events, situations, or plans — not for people. To say a person has problems, use 'things go wrong for someone'.
4. performing an action or producing a result that is not correct because of an err
performing an action or producing a result that is not correct because of an error in judgment, calculation, or method.
Trang tried to assemble the bookshelf herself, but she did every step wrong.
do + object + wrong — general error
If you enter the password wrong three times, the system will lock you out.
The chef followed the recipe wrong and the sauce turned out much too salty.
Talia set the alarm clock wrong and woke up two hours late for her exam.
- get wrong
- do wrong
- follow wrong
- enter wrong
Grammar Patterns
get + noun phrase + wrong
Usage Note
More general than sense 2 — it does not specifically imply misunderstanding; it covers any kind of action error. Frequently used with 'get', 'do', and 'follow'.
5. used to describe a machine or device that stops working properly or develops a f
used to describe a machine or device that stops working properly or develops a fault.
The washing machine went wrong again, so Dahlia had to call a repair man.
go wrong — mechanical fault
If your laptop goes wrong while still under warranty, the shop will fix it for free.
The lift went wrong this morning and got stuck between the second and third floors.
The printer went wrong halfway through the job and jammed every sheet of paper.
- go wrong
- something goes wrong with [machine]
- break down
more common for cars and large machines
- malfunction
formal or technical
Grammar Patterns
go + wrong
Usage Note
Only used for machines, devices, or mechanical systems. Do not use for software glitches — use 'crash' or 'freeze' instead.
Common Mistakes
go wrong
idiomif a situation, event, or plan goes wrong, it does not develop as hoped and becomes difficult or disappointing.
The rescue mission went wrong when the weather turned suddenly and the helicopter could not land.
Salma planned the party for months, but on the night everything went wrong — the caterer was late and the music system broke.
go wrong
idiomif a machine or device goes wrong, it stops working correctly or develops a fault.
The air conditioner went wrong during the heatwave and the room became unbearably hot.
Élise's espresso machine went wrong just a week after she bought it, so she returned it to the shop.
get something wrong
idiomto make a mistake in your understanding of something, or to answer a question incorrectly.
Hyun got the instructions wrong and took the wrong bus to the museum.
I think you have got me wrong — I am not blaming anyone for what happened.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
All these words relate to error or impropriety, but they differ in scope. 'Wrong' (adj/1, NOT CORRECT) is the broadest — it covers factual errors ('wrong answer'), unsuitable choices ('wrong key'), and moral problems ('wrong to lie'). 'Incorrect' is a more formal near-synonym for factual errors only; use it in exams or technical writing. 'False' implies deliberate untruth or deception ('false statement'), not just an honest mistake. 'Inaccurate' is milder, suggesting a lack of precision rather than a complete error ('inaccurate measurement'). 'Mistaken' describes the person or belief ('a mistaken view'), not the fact itself. 'Unjust' and 'unfair' operate in the moral/legal domain, not the factual one — they describe actions or outcomes that are not equitable ('unjust law', 'unfair treatment'). A learner can say 'You're wrong about the date' (factual error) but not 'You're unjust about the date' — that would sound unnatural.
Common collocations
Nouns
- right and wrong
- sense of right and wrong
- wrong number
- wrong answer
- wrong direction
Adverbs
- clearly wrong
- morally wrong
- completely wrong
- totally wrong
- wrongly accused
Phrases
- go wrong
- get it wrong
- prove someone wrong
- be wrong to
- in the wrong
- do someone wrong
- what's wrong
Prepositions
- wrong about
- wrong with
- wrong in
- wrong of
Etymology
Wrong entered English from Old Norse 'rangr' (crooked, not straight), which passed through Old English as 'wrang' (meaning wrong, unjust). The original sense of physical crookedness gradually shifted to a moral or factual meaning over time.