correctness
gb/kɚˈɛktnəs/ us/kɚˈɛktnəs/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
property
1
being correct; freedom from error
when something is right and has no mistakes
Usage pattern:
the correctness of [a statement/answer/information/data]
Common mistake:
Learners may use correctness when accuracy or truth is more natural in everyday speech (e.g., 'accuracy of the numbers').
Synonyms
accuracy (Often used for numbers, measurements, and details.)
|
rightness (More general and less technical.)
Antonyms
incorrectness (Direct opposite: having errors.)
|
inaccuracy (Opposite focused on facts, figures, or details.)
Collocations
check the correctness
|verify the correctness
|ensure correctness
|confirm correctness
|question the correctness
|the correctness of the answer
|the correctness of the information
|factual correctness
|mathematical correctness
|logical correctness
Themes
education
|communication
|science
Examples
- The editor questioned the correctness of several dates in the article.
- Before we publish, we need to verify the correctness of the data.
- She was confident about the correctness of her answer.
Learner examples
- Please check the correctness of my homework.
- I am not sure about the correctness of this information.
Noun
C1
property
2
following rules or accepted standards
using the correct rules or form
Usage pattern:
correctness in [grammar/spelling/form/procedure]
Common mistake:
Correctness in this sense is about rules or form; it does not always mean something is true in the real world.
Synonyms
correct form (Common in teaching; emphasizes standard usage.)
|
compliance (Emphasizes obeying rules or requirements.)
Antonyms
incorrect usage (Breaks accepted rules, especially in language.)
|
noncompliance (Failure to follow required rules or procedures.)
Collocations
grammatical correctness
|spelling correctness
|formal correctness
|technical correctness
|procedural correctness
|insist on correctness
|correctness of the form
|correctness of usage
|correctness of notation
Themes
language
|education
|work
Examples
- The teacher focused on grammatical correctness more than style.
- For safety reasons, the correctness of the procedure matters more than speed.
- The document was rejected because of minor issues with formal correctness.
Learner examples
- My teacher checks my spelling correctness.
- This form must be filled in with correctness.
Noun
formal
C1
property
3
social propriety; proper behavior
being careful to act and speak in a proper way
Usage pattern:
the correctness of [someone's] manner/tone/behavior
Common mistake:
This sense is about manners and what is socially acceptable, not about factual truth.
Synonyms
decorum (Focuses on polite behavior in public.)
|
propriety (Emphasizes what is socially appropriate.)
Antonyms
impropriety (Behavior that is not socially acceptable.)
|
rudeness (More direct and everyday opposite in manners.)
Collocations
strict correctness
|social correctness
|moral correctness
|the correctness of his manner
|maintain correctness
|a tone of correctness
|with studied correctness
Themes
society
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- He spoke with such correctness that the room felt suddenly formal.
- She worried about the correctness of her tone during the meeting.
- Their emphasis on correctness sometimes made conversations feel stiff.
Learner examples
- In some places, people expect correctness at formal dinners.
Noun
technical
C2
property
4
program or algorithm gives right results
when software works as it should
Usage pattern:
prove/ensure correctness of [a program/algorithm/system]
Common mistake:
In technical writing, correctness is about meeting a specification; it may differ from performance (speed) or usability.
Synonyms
validity (Often used for results or arguments; overlaps in formal contexts.)
|
soundness (Common in logic and verification; suggests no false results under stated assumptions.)
Antonyms
bugginess (Informal opposite: having software errors.)
|
unsoundness (Technical opposite in logic/verification contexts.)
Collocations
prove correctness
|correctness proof
|correctness of the algorithm
|correctness of the program
|ensure correctness
|guarantee correctness
|correctness properties
|partial correctness
|functional correctness
Themes
technology
|computing
|mathematics
Examples
- They used tests and proofs to argue for the correctness of the algorithm.
- A small edge case broke the correctness of the program.
- The team prioritized correctness over performance in the first release.
Learner examples
- We tested the app for correctness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
correctness
IPA
GB/kɚˈɛktnəs/
US/kɚˈɛktnəs/
Syllables & stress
cor - rect - ness (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: correctness
- Plural: correctness
Word family
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
grammatical correctness
1/ɡɹəmˈætɪkəl kɚˈɛktnəs/
fixed phrase
following grammar rules
using correct grammar
Examples
- She aims for grammatical correctness, but her writing still feels stiff.
- The app checks your sentences for grammatical correctness.
- In informal texts, people often ignore grammatical correctness.
political correctness
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl kɚˈɛktnəs/
fixed phrase
Avoiding offensive language or behavior
Trying not to say or do things that could upset certain groups of people.
Examples
- Some people think political correctness has gone too far.
- Political correctness aims to promote respect and inclusion.
political correctness
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl kɚˈɛktnəs/
fixed phrase
avoiding language that offends
speaking and acting to avoid offending groups
Examples
- The comedian complained that political correctness was limiting what people could joke about.
- The training focused on political correctness in workplace communication.
- What counts as political correctness can change over time.
proof of correctness
1/pɹˈuf əv kɚˈɛktnəs/
fixed phrase
technical
formal proof something is correct
a formal explanation that shows it is correct
Examples
- The assignment required a proof of correctness for the algorithm.
- They published a proof of correctness along with the new method.
- A proof of correctness depends on clearly stating the assumptions.