1. Correction (noun): The act of making something accurate, right, or proper after recognizing an error or fault.
2. Correction (noun): A change that removes a mistake or brings something back to a desired state.
3. Correction (noun): A disciplinary action or punishment intended to reform behavior, often used in educational or penal contexts.
4. Correction (noun): A temporary decline in the price of a financial asset or market, often seen as a natural adjustment after a rise.
The word "correction" applies across many areas—academic, behavioral, technical, and financial. It typically refers to setting something right after a mistake or imbalance. From fixing a typo in a report to a dip in the stock market, "correction" is all about bringing things back to where they should be.
"Correction" is a versatile term that deals with the act of fixing, adjusting, or disciplining something that is wrong or misaligned. It appears in personal, institutional, and financial contexts, making it relevant in everyday communication.
The most common use of "correction" is in response to an error. This can be a spelling mistake in an essay, a factual error in a news article, or an incorrect answer on a test. The "correction" is the fix that sets the information or action right.
In a broader sense, "correction" refers to any action taken to bring something back into alignment. This applies to systems, plans, or behaviors that have drifted off course and need to be rebalanced.
In educational or legal contexts, a "correction" can refer to a punishment or disciplinary measure. Schools may issue corrections to students for behavioral issues, and governments may assign individuals to correctional facilities for legal violations.
In trading, a "correction" is a temporary drop in the price of a financial asset or market index, often by 10% or more from a recent peak. It's a normal part of the market cycle and helps prevent bubbles by realigning prices with actual value. This kind of "correction" doesn't signal panic but can be a healthy reset in an overheated market.
"Correction" functions solely as a noun. Its verb form is "correct," which means to fix or make right. As a noun, "correction" refers to the action or result of that fixing process. It is never used as a verb, adjective, or adverb, but its derivatives cover those functions.
The word “correction” is pronounced as “kə-REK-shən,” with “kə” like the “ca” in “camera,” “REK” rhyming with “deck,” and “shən” ending like “shun.” Place the stress on the second syllable “REK,” then follow with a swift “shən.” To practice, say “core” quickly followed by “rection.”
Phonetic Pronunciation: kuh-REK-shun
Knowing synonyms for "correction" can help vary your language and find the right tone depending on the situation.
Here are some examples:
Understanding antonyms helps to clarify what "correction" is not. Here are some antonyms of "correction":
Looking at real examples can help you understand how the word works in context. Here are ten uses of correction in different scenarios:
“Correction” appears with moderate frequency in both formal and informal writing. It ranks among the top 3,000 lemmas in the Corpus of Contemporary American English, reflecting its common editorial and instructional role. Google Books Ngram Viewer indicates a slight rise in usage during periods of printing press standardization in the 19th century
Different forms of "correction" appear in writing and speech, depending on the context.
These words share meaning or are used in similar situations.
The word "correction" comes from the Latin word correctio, meaning "a straightening" or "amendment." It was formed from the verb corrigere, which means "to make straight, to reform, or to set right." The word entered Old French as correction before arriving in Middle English in the 14th century. Over time, the word expanded from its original religious and moral meanings to cover academic, technical, and financial areas.
Many words are derived from or built using "correction."
Here are a few misspellings to watch out for:
Idioms can offer more vivid or metaphorical ways to express the concept of correcting or adjusting.
Here are some common questions people ask about the word "correction" and how to use it:
1. What is the basic meaning of "correction"?
It means fixing an error, making something right, or adjusting a situation to improve it.
2. How is "correction" used in school settings?
It can refer to fixing homework errors, editing essays, or disciplining students for misbehavior.
3. What is a financial correction?
A financial or market correction is a drop in asset prices—usually around 10%—after a period of gains.
4. Is a correction the same as a punishment?
Not always. In some contexts, a correction is about guidance and improvement, not punishment alone.
5. What does a correctional facility do?
It houses people who are serving sentences, focusing on rehabilitation and societal reintegration.
6. Can "correction" be used in software?
Yes, programmers often issue corrections or patches to fix software bugs and errors.
7. What's the difference between correction and amendment?
Corrections fix errors, while amendments often change or add to the original content for clarity or improvement.
8. Can people self-correct?
Absolutely. Self-correction is when someone notices their own mistake and chooses to fix it.
9. What is a medical correction?
It refers to medical procedures or treatments aimed at fixing a physical or genetic issue.
10. Why do newspapers issue corrections?
To maintain credibility and transparency by fixing factual mistakes in their published stories.
A correction is the act of making something right after identifying it as wrong or off-course. Whether you're talking about editing a sentence, adjusting financial trends, or reforming behavior, the word "correction" helps frame that process. Add this term to your vocabulary, and don’t hesitate to explore other word definitions for better understanding and expression.
